January 28, 1999

AnchorPoints

ADVENTIST CONGREGATIONALISM Wake-up Call or Death Knell? LETTERS

Thanksgiving Cover found the cover to be offensive. Adventist Church, but not at the sake of I was terribly disappointed by the accuracy. In the case of a news or feature cover of the —Linda Scales Mercer item (like this one), we must honestly November 26 SILVER SPRING, reflect what we receive.—Editors. AnchorPoints Edition. At face Your concern is well taken; here’s what value, one would happened. When, for the third consecu- The Reasonable Observer think that the only tive year, we invited Adventists to thank Kudos on the excellent article by people due honor for someone who had influenced their life, we . “The Reasonable “making a differ- also invited photos of the persons being Observer” (Nov. 26) should give all ence” are a group of 50-plus thanked. The photos used on the cover thinking Adventists confidence in our Caucasians. Out of the 27 people on were the only ones we received. In our roots. After three rather tumultuous the cover, only one was non-White work here—staff mix, author mix, illus- years in my personal life, it has been a and two looked under the age of 30. trations—we try very intentionally to wonderful experience to revisit the As a 34-year-old woman of color, I reflect the wonderful diversity of the biblical principles upon which our

Final Reminder: An Invitation to 8. The Great Controversy 9. The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ Grown-ups and Kids 10. The Experience of Salvation 11. The Church While we always welcome reader contributions to our mag- 12. The Remnant and Its Mission azine, we especially welcome your contributions to our special 13. Unity in the Body of Christ April edition on the 27 fundamental beliefs. 14. Baptism Here’s what we’re thinking—27 colorful 15. The Lord’s Supper two-page spreads, each expressing a particu- 16. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries lar belief in a variety of forms: brief testi- 17. The Gift of Prophecy monies, anecdotes (serious or funny), photos, 18. The Law of God paintings, you name it. The more creative, 19. The Sabbath the better. We’ll award a Review cap to all 20. Stewardship published submissions. 21. Christian Behavior And kids: We’ll also award a Review cap to JOIN THE TEAM: Help us 22. Marriage and the Family the 27 best drawings/colorings of a funda- with “Fresh 27” and get our 23. Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly mental belief. Your parents can help explain famous Review cap. Sanctuary the beliefs, but real quick—here’s the list: 24. The of Christ 1. The Holy Scriptures 25. Death and Resurrection 2. The Trinity 26. The Millennium and the End of Sin 3. The Father 27. The New Earth 4. The Son Rush submissions to: Fresh 27, , 12501 5. The Holy Spirit Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904; fax 6. Creation 301-680-6637; e-mail: [email protected]. 7. The Nature of Man Please include address and phone number.

2 (98) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 church was founded, as well as to commandment as “You shall not murder.” regain increased respect and apprecia- tion for the writings of Ellen White. —Mitchell Nicholaides Many thanks. FLETCHER, NORTH CAROLINA

—Robert D. Sewell COVER STORY HERMISTON, OREGON The first four commandments have to do with man’s relationship to God, the last 12 Adventist Congregationalism: Wake- six with his fellow men. There’s nothing Discipline or Devotion? up Call or Death Knell? in the Decalogue about his relationship At issue is what’s best, not what’s Sandra Doran’s “Discipline or with animals, bugs, or rattlesnakes. expedient. Devotion?” (Nov. 26) nicely illus- BY GEORGE KNIGHT trated the paradox of the Christian —Adriel Chilson life. Spirit and letter, grace and law, COLLEGE PLACE, WASHINGTON ARTICLES faith and works, relationship and obe- dience. It is clear that unless we have 8 By What Standard? both, we have neither. I just wanted to add a hearty amen to Finding acceptance is a long, tedious process. Or is it? the sentiments Eric Knapp expressed. I BY RENATE KRAUSE —Arnold M. Sy Go thought I was the only one who felt VIA E-MAIL this way. Also, while eating animals 24 Alone but Not Lonely for food is acceptable, the conditions A prescription for those who many of those animals are raised in live alone. Health Versus Faith? and the cruelty they face every day do BY MORRIS CHALFANT Ella Rydzewski is right on with her not justify this practice longer. 26 Listening to One Another analysis of what’s been happening in It’s a good time to be all ears. regarding the oft-maligned —Lisa Doll BY ELLEN G. WHITE term “health reform” (“Health Versus GRAHAM, WASHINGTON Faith?” Nov. 19). It is a curious phe- DEPARTMENTS nomenon that, as secular culture has 2 Letters become more concerned about diet In “Reckless” (Dec. 10) Roy Adams and health, many Adventists have assures us that spiritism is not engulf- 7 Give & Take become less so. I believe that ing the Adventist Church, but in the 11 Clifford Goldstein Rydzewski’s diagnosis identifies at least same issue is a letter regarding the 19 It Seems to Me a major reason for such a departure. killing of insects and snakes, which the We need to hear more such candid editors didn’t even bother to address— 20 World News & Perspectives acknowledgments regarding some of thereby condoning that kind of false 28 Bulletin Board our faulty perceptions of what consti- reasoning. To put into print this kind 29 Children’s Corner tutes our citizenship in the kingdom. of false reasoning is to allow your read- ers to assume that God’s Spirit is also 30 On the Home Front —Jim Kaatz, PRESIDENT in insects. This kind of reasoning is 31 Reflections SAN DIEGO ADVENTIST FORUM pantheism, and is not pantheism just another form of spiritism? The Review EDITORIALS reminds me of the god Janus—looking Thou Shalt Not Kill (cont.) both ways and still not seeing. 5 Where Have All the

Heroes Gone? OMPOSITE Eric Knapp’s December 10 letter, C “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” is seriously mis- —Lindsey Greene 6 Keep It Moving AL IGIT

leading. His statement that “intention- VIA E-MAIL /D ISC al squashing of a bug . . . is exactly the NEXT WEEK D type of ratsach killing the sixth com- We don’t condone all published letters, and HOTO

mandment forbids” seems to be the as much as possible we avoid printed A Life in the Spotlight © P exact opposite of truth. Wherever the responses. (Readers can make up their A celebration of the life and ministry of ROM Hebrew verb ratsach occurs in the Old own minds.) In this case, though, we prob- evangelist E. E. Cleveland. F Testament, it always refers to the tak- ably should have included a note about rat- PHOTOS ing of human life. That is why the New sach, just as some letters should include a VER O

King James Version renders the sixth city and state/country. Touché!—Editors. C

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (99) 3 “Behold, I come quickly . . .”

Our mission is to uplift Jesus Christ through stories of His matchless love, news of His present workings, help for knowing Him better, and hope in His soon return. The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119), published since 1849, is the general paper of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is published by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and is printed 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. Publishing Board: Robert S. Folkenberg, chair; Phil Follett, vice- chair; Lowell Cooper; William G. Johnsson; A. C. McClure; Dorothy Watts; Ted N. C. Wilson; Martin Ytreberg; Robert Nixon, legal advisor

Executive Publisher and 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 Secretaries Beverly Koester, Jean Sequeira Art Director Bill Kirstein Designer Bill Tymeson Design Assistant/Production Stephanie Kaping Ad Sales Melynie Tooley Subscriber Services Steve Hanson Marketing Coordinator Ray Tetz

Consulting Editors: Robert S. Folkenberg, Matthew Bediako, Phil Follett, Robert J. Kloosterhuis, A. C. McClure, , Leo Ranzolin, R. L. Rawson, Calvin B. Rock, G. Ralph Thompson 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 Phillips are from J. B. Phillips: The New Testament in Modern English, Revised Edition. © J. B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by per- mission of Macmillan Publishing Co. Bible texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Vol. 176, No. 4

4 (100) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 EDITORIAL Where Have All the WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON Heroes Gone?

n a recent poem Stephen Dunn powerfully describes years. These mighty men and women knew their God, knew the impact of his daughter’s visits to a local church.* that He was real, knew that He loved and cared for them, Dunn and his wife had abandoned faith, but they didn’t knew that He desired a high and holy purpose for them in have a problem in sending their little this life and eternally. “These all died in girl to learn arts and crafts for a week. faith, not having received what was IHowever, when she came home with a promised, but having seen it and greeted it “Jesus Saves” button and singing “Jesus from afar, and having acknowledged that Loves Me,” Dunn’s world began to unravel. they were strangers and exiles on the earth” After parents’ night, their little girl (Heb. 11:13, RSV). beamed and sang and went through the action songs about Jesus as they went home. ne story stands out from all the oth- Dunn was thinking about evolution—devoid ers. In this saga we find no battles of heroes and reeking of death. He couldn’t Oand no throne; no daring feats of say to his little girl, “Evolution loves you.” physical prowess that wow the multitudes; He drove in silence. no pomp and circumstance, no politics. Many people are like Stephen Dunn: the Instead we see a garden. There in heroes have vanished. They have vanished for the media, night’s deep hours as the full moon shines bright and the also—the fourth estate hovers like a hawk waiting to point dew falls silently, a Man labors in prayer. He struggles and out flaws, impugn motives, and unmask back-room shenani- groans as He contemplates the fearful morrow; He cries gans, secret book deals. Who would want to be a hero and out in agony to be delivered from the cup of woe that fall prey to this searching scrutiny? trembles in His hand. So instead of the hero we have the antihero. We try to God hears, but God does not release Him. And Jesus of satisfy our craving for models by focusing on the fleeting Nazareth rises to His feet and goes out to meet His fate. exploits of actors and the play of the day. Once “heroes of Within hours He hangs on a Roman cross and dies for the old” (Gen. 6:4, NIV) walked the earth, but no more. sins of the world. Jesus is the antihero supreme. And yet He is the ultimate he Bible is a book of heroes. We read of the boy hero, the one alone by whom true greatness can be mea- David and his victory over the giant Goliath, of the sured. Only as a life—any life, my life, your life—begins to Tnoble Jonathan—every inch a prince—and his rout- reflect the pattern of Him who said and lived “The Son of

FILE ing of the Philistine oppressors. David himself gathered a Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his band of “mighty men”: Josheb-Basshebeth, who slew 800 of life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28, NIV) does it TION

CIA the enemy; Eleazar, who stood his ground when all around approach eternity. SSO

A him fled, and wielded the sword until it froze to his hand; No stench of death and decay here! Our Benaiah, who went down into a pit on a snowy day and Hero rose from the dead. Jesus is alive! killed a lion; and many others (see 2 Sam. 23:8-23). Let’s tell this story, and tell it again UBLISHING

P We find also the story of Joseph, the youth of integrity who and again. To our children. To the ® rises from prison to govern the land of Egypt. Daniel, true to world. To ourselves.

ERALD principle and to his God, who dispenses wise leadership under Pilate said it right: “Behold the

& H three different monarchs. Noah and Abraham; Deborah and Man!” (John 19:5). Jesus is our hero for

EVIEW Esther. And the towering figure of Moses, the humbled one this and every new year.

: R who leads God’s people to the borders of the Promised Land. * Stephen Dunn, “At the Smithville TION Here are stories to captivate the hearts of children, to Methodist Church” in New and Selected inspire young men and women as they set the sails of their Poems 1974-1994 (: W. W. LLUSTRA I lives, to encourage the followers of God into their sunset Norton and Co., 1994).

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (101) 5 EDITORIAL Keep It Moving STEPHEN CHAVEZ

e’ve reached the point in the history of our protecting the fledgling church from those who insisted on trying movement where we spend considerable to turn back the clock to the “glory days” of the past. time highlighting our milestones. (Later In today’s Adventist Church more than a few people this year we’ll would likewise prefer to turn back commemorate the the clock 80, 90, or 100 years (failing Winauguration of The Present Truth— that, they’d settle for 30, 40, or 50 forerunner of the Adventist Review— The past years). But that’s not going to hap- by James White 150 years ago.) And pen. The church has changed too on all sides we’re treated to reports of is a nice place to much, and so has the world. people and institutions celebrating Fashions, musical preferences, cultu- the one hundredth anniversary of this visit, but . . . ral changes, and modifications in or the one hundred twenty-fifth theological emphases are inevitable. anniversary of that. And I don’t understand how a move- In the course of those celebrations we’ll honor the vision ment can expect to stay viable if it stops moving. of our pioneers and praise the strength of the institutions they From today’s perspective the Adventist Church of the past left behind. may have placed too much emphasis on law and not enough But there’s an odd bit of counsel from the book of Isaiah on grace; too much on rules and not nearly enough on rela- for all of us who are tempted to be infatuated with the past: tionships. And today, even with changes in emphases, the “This is what the Lord says . . . : ‘Forget the former things; do church is far from perfect. That’s why we need to study and not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!’” (Isa. pray so that we’ll always be guided by the Holy Spirit. And if 43:16-19, NIV). we’re still moving, we can look forward to cooperating with In verses 16 and 17 God is identified as the one who God in His “new thing.” brought Israel out of Egyptian captivity with a marvelous Just as our pioneers would find the church’s progress over deliverance through the Red Sea. Yet God urges His people to the past century mind-boggling, so our imaginations can’t forget it. Why? begin to appreciate what God has in store for us. His “new The fact is that Israel’s fixation on God’s past activity on thing” will make (is making) all our past accomplishments their behalf had made them complacent about the present. In seem puny and paltry in comparison. their minds no future event could compete with Israel’s expe- Now, there’s certainly nothing wrong with celebrating our rience at the Red Sea. Indeed, much of the tension in the past. There’s much we should remember: lessons to be learned, Bible had to do with those who revered the past (to the point mistakes to be avoided. But we have to keep growing, moving, of wanting to retain all its empty rituals and ceremonies), and evolving. And there are a host of things we should gratefully those who wanted to go boldly into the future guided by God’s leave behind as we enthusiastically follow God dynamic leadership. into the future. Yet at some point Jesus’ followers realized that the ceremo- Although world conditions will get worse nial rituals (including circumcision) that characterized their before Jesus returns, notice God’s promise past were ineffective and unnecessary in taking the gospel to regarding those who follow Him: “The the world. There also came a time when the Holy Spirit helped path of the righteous is like the first them understand that God’s kingdom is not exclusively Jewish, gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till but that people of every age, gender, and ethnic origin who the full light of day” (Prov. 4:18, NIV). accept Jesus as their Saviour are members in full. The past is a nice place to visit, but More than a few people were uncomfortable with these devel- you wouldn’t want to live there. The opments (change is never embraced without a certain amount of “new thing” that God is doing for us— tension). And the apostle Paul spent much of his ministry trying as a movement and as individuals—is to preserve the integrity of the gospel while at the same time much too exciting.

6 (102) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 ADVENTIST LIFE In Montana distances are great, which means that I preach in my churches only every other Sabbath. So if I have to be out of my district on a first and third Sabbath, I don’t preach in that pulpit

for a whole month. Recently REWS C that occurred when I at- Y ERR tended meetings in Seattle T GI&VE and British Columbia. Upon BY returning to my congregation TION in Shelby, Montana, Tyler LLUSTRA Cluthe had placed the fol- I lowing paraphrase on the back of the bulletin. It was a wonderful expression of love and a great encourage- ment to me. “The Gospel According to Cluthe: “And he arose, and came back to his church. But when he was yet a great way off, his congregation saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the pastor said unto his congregation, ‘I have been gone too TAKE long in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called your pastor.’ But the congre- gation said to each other, ‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a DREAM CENTER Bible in his hand, and a podium to preach from: and bring hither the potluck and let us eat, and be merry: for this our pastor we thought was dead, but is alive; he was In this new feature, Adventists share their lost in his work, but is found.’ And they began to be merry” (see Luke 15:20-24). church-related dreams. —Rollin Hixson, pastor, Havre and Shelby districts, Havre, Montana TRAVELERS’ CLEARINGHOUSE: I would like to see a clearinghouse that matches travelers with people want- ing to send things to overseas TRIVIAL PURSUITS Could swallow us Adventist groups. Many of us who Could terminate the Race! travel do not fill our international We turn Yet flight weight limit and would be like dachshunds in our skin softly in our minds we know happy to transport things. And look behind us That trust is all there is to Brainstorming idea: an institutional Wondering life Web page that listed (1) overseas if where we’ve been and trust must grow needs and mailing addresses and (2) Means something And not stand hesitant travelers with destinations, dates, and to us? But go amount willing to take. to them? to face the unknown Is someone already doing this? If If now— Calm, serene— so, please send me an address or If then— We turn phone number. If not, is anyone We’ll catch this rodent we like dachshunds in our willing to start? I’m willing to help, pursue skin ISC

but I don’t think that www.ridge- This rat of time and look behind D crest.ca.us would be an appropriate That leads us blindly remembering HOTO

Web address. on a merry chase. Who sent us in. © P —Earl Furman, 920 E. California, Ridgecrest, This future— —Joy Cassano Coleman, Glen Burnie, HOTO California 93555; [email protected] This black hole we face— Maryland P

WE NEED YOU

Send Give & Take submissions to . . . Give & Take, Adventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904; Fax: 301-680-6638; E-mail: [email protected]. Please include phone number. Submissions will not be returned.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (103) 7 LIFESTYLE By What Standard? How we live is determined by whom we’re trying to please.

BY RENATE KRAUSE

AS IT EVER SEEMED TO YOU of failure. We’re afraid that someday our masks will slip and people will dis- that life is a struggle to go beyond cover that we’re not what we claim to be. your limits to attain something Even success comes at a price: every accomplishment at better, to make yourself into school, at home, at work, and in our community calls for at something that you’re not? least an equivalent, if not greater, achievement. Our goal- HMost of us learn very early what it takes to reach the oriented society tells us that we world’s standard. We’ve learned that it’s smart to pay atten- can do it if we just try a little tion to grade-givers; that when we give the right answers, harder, buy a little more of this we’re considered intelligent. When we do the right things, or that, get the newest, most- people think of us as friendly, helpful, likable, or successful. up-to-date car, clothes, computer, food, golf When wearing the right clothes, we become attractive, sexy, clubs, hairstyle, makeup, music, etc. The world tells or desirable. When we own enough of the right things, we us that going to the right places, cultivating the right can think of ourselves as wealthy. In short, we become what contacts, reading the right books, seeing the right pro- others think of us. grams, holding the right opinions, and owning the right In fact, we’re living on the brink of an abyss, because possessions define who we are. our lives are spent in creating something that can be So what we think about ourselves becomes dependent on unmade in an instant. Theologian Henri Nouwen put it what others think about us. But when that happens, “we this way: “The more we allow our accomplishments—the have sold our identity to the judges of this world.” 2 results of our actions—to become the criteria of our self- The result of this restlessness is that we need more and esteem, the more we are going to walk on our mental and more affirmation and praise to neutralize our self-doubt. spiritual toes.” 1 We’re never sure if we’ll be able to live up Materialism, possessiveness, and defensiveness permeate to our own expectations, let alone those of our family, our society in general, and on a personal level we often expe- friends, our church, or our society. Without being entirely rience deep isolation and loneliness because friendship aware of it, we are driven closer and closer to the precipice and love are impossible without mutual vulnerability.

8 (104) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 COMPOSITE AL DIGIT / ISC D HOTO © P HOTOS P

How can we afford to be vulnerable can hear are the voices of the world’s world answers, “Of course, with the when we see others as competitors grade-givers. In fact, we have internal- right motivation and the right prod- and judges? ized their criteria, becoming grade- ucts; maybe not permanently, but givers to ourselves. There’s a seductive appearance is reality, and appearance is So Many Voices appeal in thinking, If I try hard enough all that matters.” So the world claims The poisons of materialism, posses- and long enough, I can be more impor- its right to judge us by the results of siveness, and defensiveness surround tant, more liked, more happy. our actions. And when we forget the us. Without a belief in something big- To the prophet’s question “Can the essence of , we allow that ger than ourselves, we are trapped in Ethiopian change his skin or the leop- “What I do is what I am” attitude. lives that are context-bound. All we ard change its spots?” (Jer. 13:23)3 the Thus we have essentially sold our souls

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (105) 9 to an alien notion of how God sees us. I Believe partially, but when God makes all Sadly, most of humanity has lost the things new, we shall come to a fullness The Christian Life Means Freedom reality of our God-given identity as His of knowledge (see 1 Cor. 13:12). We Jesus came to free us from this children. Without Him the human con- live with that expectation. And a life seemingly inescapable trap of believing dition is one of destructive illusions, of lived in expectation is a life of deep joy that what we do is what we are. Jesus looking to outside influences to achieve and hope. Who would not welcome said, “If you hold to my teaching, you happiness and fulfillment, rather than such joy and empowerment? are really my disciples. Then you will finding it as part of our God-given know the truth, and the truth will set birthright, our heritage. Christ came to Freedom’s Promise you free” (John 8:31, 32). Christianity demonstrate just how far God would go Most people find it possible, at redefines us; it gives us the freedom to bring us back to that reality. least in the short term, to gain some first to be, then to do. And that’s approval part of the time using the exponentially different from doing in world’s standard of acceptance. order to be. But the approval of a scorekeeper Christ modeled the reality that Christ modeled God doesn’t bring freedom. And our identity and worth are not it’s often even more difficult to dependent on what we do. the reality gain the approval from some of ■ In the parable, the prodigal His “saints.” son was accepted, not for what he If in our preoccupation with styles did, but because of his father’s that people’s worth of worship and standards of dress and undying love for him. behavior we have presented a God ■ The woman caught in adul- is not dependent who holds a scorecard, we have con- tery was accepted, not for what tributed to the illusion that what she did, but because she realized on what they do. people do is more important than her hopeless condition. who they are. We have denied ■ The widow’s son was raised Christ’s promise of freedom—the from the dead, not because he was A life without God is a broken life freedom that lies at the very heart of deserving, but because he was needed. that we cannot heal by ourselves— Christianity. Christ’s authority wasn’t depen- regardless of what we do. Only as we The church must teach first and dent on what others thought of Him; rediscover our identity in God can we loudest that freedom is inherent in His authority and power came from become whole in mind, body, and being one of God’s children. Our the Father. “I do nothing on my own spirit. God is the mainspring of our voices must be loud and clear, but speak just what the Father has being. Lifestyle is important, but it unashamed and unequivocal, so that taught me” (John 8:28). And again: doesn’t define us. Lifestyle is merely we may be heard above the claims of “By myself I can do nothing; . . . I the body language that says loudly, the world that would seduce us to be seek not to please myself but him who “What we do is not who we are; rather part of it again. The struggle is over sent me” (John 5:30); “It is the it is the result of who we are: children our souls, over who we are. Father, living in me, who is doing his of the Ruler of the universe.” We must proclaim freedom in work” (John 14:10). Such a liberating reality gives us Christ. ■ Likewise, Christianity frees us to be hope and courage. It gives us a mean- what God designed us to be: His chil- ing greater than ourselves. We are 1 Henri J. M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude (Notre Dame, Ind.: Ave Maria, 1974), p. 19. Nouwen’s dren by virtue of creation and redemp- worth more than the results of our thoughts on the freedom we have from the tion. Christians can claim the power to efforts. Our successes and failures can world’s grade-givers have been invaluable in giv- live in the world without being of it lose some of their power over us; we ing shape to this article. 2 Ibid., p. 20. (see Christ’s prayer for His disciples in can afford to let go of our defensive- 3 All Scripture references in this article are John 17). We can act out of what God ness and materialism. We can love from the New International Version. has already given to us—even if the with an authentic, God-given ideal is not yet fully realized. We can response, rather than with a grasping Renate Krause lives in afford to fail and learn from our fail- possessiveness that arises out of our Angwin, California. She ures. We can dare to live for God with- own needs. wrote this when she was pro- out being deterred by the apparent lack Every Sabbath, then, is a celebration fessor of English at of results. Our identity is found in, and and reminder that we have our identity Canadian University has meaning through, God; our self- in our Creator. The transcendent real- College. worth no longer depends on our own ity we accept by faith soon becomes a successes. You and I have choices. We physical as well as a spiritual reality. are empowered. We are free. Now we understand that reality only

10 (106) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 CLIFFORD GOLDSTEIN The Curse of the Law

n The Spirit of Prophecy Ellen White wrote: “The law of procure the “righteousness of God” for us. It’s way too late God could condemn, but could not pardon” (vol. 1, p. 30). for the law to do anything except condemn, which is why The law could not pardon? Most of us would say Paul wrote: “By of the law shall no flesh be justi- we believe that line—but how fied” (Gal. 2:16). many will take it to the logical Either salvation is by faith alone or it’s Iconclusion? by works as well. And if it’s by works too, To do so is to believe that no matter then let’s take that position to its logical how much one proclaims the immutabil- conclusion. If salvation is based in any way ity of the law, or seeks to obey it in spirit on our obedience to the law, then God and in truth, the law still condemns. It the Son’s becoming human flesh, living a means that Abraham, Moses, Paul, Ellen life of perfect obedience to the law, and White—like us—stand in only one rela- going to the cross, where He faced the tionship to the law, and that is in con- Father’s wrath against sin, where all the demnation. It is to conclude that there is sins of the world fell upon Him, where He no pardon, justification, or salvation, but became sin for us, where He was judged only a curse, guilt, and death in the law. and condemned in our place, where He If the law cannot pardon, then died the second death as a substitute for Sabbathkeeping, then not taking the the transgressions of the whole world—all Lord’s name in vain, then not lying, then that still wasn’t good enough? It wasn’t suffi- not stealing, then not murdering, then cient to pardon us? It was lacking some- even loving God with all your heart and thing that can be made up by our “works with all your soul and loving your neighbor of the law”? Please! And yet that’s the as yourself, cannot pardon sin. All they can do, in and of only logical conclusion of any theology that attributes themselves, is curse and condemn, because “all who rely on merit to lawkeeping. It’s like trying to make Bill Gates works of the law are under a curse” (Gal. 3:10, RSV). richer by hurling cow dung into his bank account. Notice, Paul didn’t write that all who do the works of the E. J. Waggoner, in The Glad Tidings, wrote: “People law are under a curse, for that would contradict many texts take the sign for the substance, the end for the means. regarding God’s clear commands for obedience to the law They see that righteousness reveals itself in good works. (Rev. 14:12; 22:14; 1 John 5:2, 3; James 2:10); instead he Therefore they assume that the good works bring the says that those who rely on these works for salvation are righteousness” (p. 53). under the curse—because (as the woman said) “the law of They’re wrong. Good works, “the works of the law,” are God could condemn, but could not pardon.” the personal manifestations of a person who has been born Because the law—and works thereof—can only con- again; works are the outward, subjective expression of a life demn, another means of pardon was necessary, and that was changed by “the righteousness of God which is by the faith provided by Jesus Christ, who alone met the demands of the of Jesus Christ.” But they can never, under any circum- law. The law was fulfilled in Jesus in that He met its claims stances, save us; on the contrary, all they can do, in and of completely, something no one else has done or could ever themselves, is kill us—because again, as the prophet said, do. Forgiveness, therefore, can be found only in Jesus, “the law of God could condemn, but could not pardon.” because only His obedience was sufficient for the absolute

ISC claims of the law. Jesus alone has what Paul calls “the right- D Clifford Goldstein is editor of Liberty, a magazine eousness of God,” the only righteousness that can pardon us, HOTO of religious freedom. “even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus © P Christ”(Rom. 3:21, 22). HOTO

P It has to be only by faith, because our works will never

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (107) 11 COVER STORY ADVENTIST CONGREGATIONALISM:

Wake-up Call or Death Knell?

BY GEORGE KNIGHT

The Adventist Review only rarely prints articles greater than five pages in length. We respect our readers’ time and attention span. At the Annual Council meeting held at Iguacu Falls, Brazil, last October, however, Adventist church historian and seminary professor George Knight was asked to open a discussion about the impact of congregationalism on the church. His insight- ful overview of the issues is so important that we have given it the space it truly deserves.—Editors.

HERE ARE ONLY TWO TRULY CATHOLIC churches in the world today: the Roman Catholic and the Adventist catholic. Now that I have your attention, I trust that you realize that the primary meaning of the Tword “catholic” is “universal.” Adventism is catholic in the sense that it has a world- wide commission to fulfill the mission of the three angels of Revelation 14; to take the end-time message to every nation, tongue, and people. But some Adventists have come to believe that in the area of church organization Adventism has gone too far. Some even hold that Adventism has organizationally “out- beasted .” The reaction for some has been the con- gregational option.

Learning From the Past Congregationalism is deeply rooted in Seventh-day ISC

Adventist history. James White and came D into Adventism from the Christian Connection, which HOTO

had a congregational polity. The Connectionist movement © P was held together by a loose association of churches (some- HOTOS

what like today’s Baptists) that shared common periodicals P

12 (108) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 and periodic general meetings. White L. C. Sheafe, Adventism’s first promi- is another form of congregationalism and Bates brought that form of orga- nent African-American pastor; and that is much more difficult to detect and nization into Sabbatarian Adventism others. In 1998 congregationalism is certainly more widespread and serious. in the late 1840s and early 1850s. again challenging the denominational That form might be thought of as a White, however, soon realized that organizational structure as to which is “congregational mentality” in which congregationalism was not sufficiently the best way to “do church” and carry individuals (rather than entire congrega- focused to gather in a people. By the out Adventism’s mission. tions) silently vote with their feet and middle of the 1850s he was calling for It’s also important to note that their checkbooks as to how to dedicate an organized church body so that the Adventism had a third founder—a lady their money and time. outreach work of the Sabbatarians by the name of Ellen G. White, who Various expressions of congregation- could be organized and move forward had been raised in the Methodist alism and the congregational mentality with direction and vigor. Episcopal Church. Perhaps the title of seem to be widespread in certain sec- White’s initiative was met with Charles W. Ferguson’s book might help tors of Adventism. All who care about great resistance by those who remem- us see where she came from on the these issues and movements need to bered the casting out of Millerites topic of church polity. Organizing to keep in mind that churches are volun- from their churches and the cry of Beat the Devil: Methodists and the Making tary societies and that there are limits George Storrs in 1844 that the first of America tells the story of the nine- to coercion. step toward church organization was teenth century’s most rapidly expanding the first step to becoming Babylon. American denomination. The secret of What Does the Bible Say? White responded that the very rea- Seventh-day Adventism has built son that the Sabbatarians needed to its appeal on a pledge to be faithful be organized is that the movement to the Bible. Both members and was, as he put it, already a “perfect observers of Adventist Church Babylon” of confusion.1 Congregationalism structure expect a biblical rationale All branches of the Millerite for any organizational plan that may movement, following the congrega- has more than be proposed. tional logic of Storrs and the The first thing to note is that Connectionists, had an extremely one face. there is no one-to-one correspon- difficult time organizing into dence between the church model churches. None organized before reflected in the New Testament the very late 1850s, and only one and Seventh-day Adventist developed an organization that was Church organization. The most strong enough to both hold a move- Methodist expansion throughout the that can be asked of the New ment together and to foster an exten- continent was their self-consciously Testament documents is whether they sion of its message. That one, of mission-focused organization. reflect primarily a congregational course, is the present Seventh-day Various forms of congregationalism model or a more complex model. Adventist Church. All other branches exist in current Adventism. They have Another thing that must be realized is of (the powerful ones of the been stimulated to some extent both by that the church in the New Testament era 1850s) are either dead or dying. Part of an individualism deeply ingrained in its did not necessarily present a matured or their problem, as the foremost Advent Protestant heritage and by a lack of reflec- even completely harmonious view of Christian historian argued in the tion on the biblical doctrine of the church structure. It was a young church in 1970s, was that they had no organiza- church by Adventists in general. In fact, process or transition. tional focus or center. A second prob- most Adventists probably don’t even But whatever the status of that lem was that they lost their vision of think there is such a doctrine. Maybe development, at the very least it can be being an apocalyptic people who had a Roman Catholics developed a doctrine of said that the New Testament presents us special end-time mission.2 the church, the argument goes, but the with a picture that moves beyond the In spite of Seventh-day Advent- Adventist way is rugged individualism congregational model. The evidence ism’s organization, or perhaps because and the absolute independence of every does not indicate that independent of it, congregationalism has perio- priest in the priesthood of believers. members or even independent, self-suf- dically raised its head in the church. It should be realized at the outset of ficient congregations were the order of One of the most threatening episodes this discussion that congregationalism the day. To the contrary, they belonged took place in the wake of the Kellogg has more than one face. We generally to the priesthood of believers who had crisis. Between 1907 and 1915 there think of congregationalism in terms of assembled themselves into congrega- was a significant congregationalist entire congregations voting to take tions that had their primary unity in movement in the denomination spear- independent actions that are disruptive what Paul referred to as the “body of headed by A. T. Jones of 1888 fame, to the sisterhood of churches. But there Christ.”

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (109) 13 Paul made it explicit that the head While Paul may have functioned as of the church was no person or group a general superintendent in his geo- of people, but Christ Himself. Thus all graphical area of mission, he did not ecclesiastical authority at the human operate as a free agent. Rather he level is delegated authority, and that worked in harmony with leaders in authority, unlike the model of the other parts of the Christian mission. world, is not masterly authority, but The best illustration of such inter- servant authority. As one scholar put locking leadership is found in the gen- it, human church leaders have author- eral council of the church reported in ity to sacrifice and serve as the Holy Acts 15. That council definitely Spirit seeks to use them to bring about reflects the international/interdistrict the rule of God on earth. The New leadership of the early church coming Testament leaves no doubt as to the together to settle a problem that was servant leadership ideal, yet servant disrupting the body of Christ; namely, leadership is probably the easiest thing the membership and behavioral in the world to abuse and neglect. requirements of Gentiles who desired Beyond the headship of Christ, the to join the church. New Testament pictures a church that In Acts 15 we have an international was consciously led by the Holy Spirit. ecclesiastical body performing the loos- The church was not structure-centered ing and binding function placed upon or person-centered, but was centered in only did the work of evangelists (2 Tim. the church by Jesus in Matthew 16:19 the divine Godhead. Whenever the 4:5), but also functioned in leadership and 18:18. In essence, that function church forgets that fact, as it often roles across various congregations. had to do with “the regulation of con- does, it soon leads itself astray. And Thus Paul sent Timothy to such duct and the setting of acceptable that problem holds just as true for places as Corinth, Philippi, and standards. . . . That function became Seventh-day Adventists as it does for Thessalonica. Timothy had authority essential in the Christian movement as Roman Catholics, Methodists, or to lay hands on local church leaders, it separated from Judaism and its way Baptists. rebuke local church leaders who per- of life. The Christian community sisted in sin, and to determine which needed to set its own standards.” 3 Finding Our Knees local leaders were worthy of “double That loosing and binding function, The church to be faithful must be a honor” (l Tim. 5:17-22). In like man- however, was not to be on the basis of church on its knees. It is not the ner, Titus exercised a God-given earthly ecclesiastical authority. The church’s leading that counts, but the authority to appoint local elders in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary leading of God. It is not our programs or every town (Titus 1:5) seems to have it right when it remarks structures that count, but the mission of From the descriptions given of the that the meaning of the binding and God. It is not even our ecclesiastical work of Timothy and Titus it does not loosing is that “the church on earth position as leaders and members that appear that they were functioning as will require only what Heaven requires counts, but the position of God both in what we would call conference presi- and will prohibit only what Heaven the church and in our hearts. The dents or what others in modern termi- prohibits. . . . Christ’s representatives church, to be God’s church, must have nology might call bishops. Rather their on earth have the right and the respon- God at the center, not its own well- function appears closer to that of the sibility to ‘bind’ whatever has been being or the status quo. The church Methodist circuit riders, who not only ‘bound in heaven’ and to ‘loose’ what- must always have ears to hear what its did evangelism but also had the ever has been ‘loosed in heaven,’ that Lord is seeking to tell it. responsibility of a score of congrega- is, to require or to prohibit whatever In the actual world of the New tions. They appointed local elders and Inspiration clearly reveals. But to go Testament church, the Bible indicates a cared for the churches as they made beyond that is to substitute human structural model that certainly tran- their rounds. In early Methodism you authority for the authority of Christ . . . , scends the congregational. The fullest had traveling elders (pastors) and local a tendency that Heaven will not tolerate in example of that model is illustrated by elders (lay leaders) under the direction those who have been appointed to the the mission associated with Paul. The of an area superintendent or bishop. oversight of the citizens of the kingdom of apostle definitely functioned under Adventism adopted aspects of that heaven on earth.” 4 Christ’s leadership as a sort of superin- model for about 60 years. Until the Acts 15 shows the Jewish and tendent over the workers in the areas early twentieth century Adventism did Gentile church leaders acting in har- he had opened up to the Christian mes- not have settled pastors, but traveling mony under the leading of the Spirit in sage. Beyond that, Paul had lieutenants, pastor/evangelists who appointed local making certain decisions regarding such as Timothy and Titus, who not leadership. Christian conduct. They not only made

14 (110) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 such decisions, but the leaders of the healthy congregation is that no one part, as William Johnsson so nicely put Gentile sector of the church made the can stop it. If members have excite- it, “may become bureaucratic, an end rulings known to the various churches ment about their mission, there will be in themselves, and a drag on innova- they had contact with in the wider initiative toward mission and out- tion.” 5 Imposed rigidities provide the Christian community. We read that as reach. A local sense of responsibility is death knell for local initiative, respon- “they went on their way through the priceless. Beyond those advantages, a sibility, or even caring about what hap- cities, they delivered to them for obser- local congregation knows the needs of pens. Neither system has all the advan- vance the decisions which had been its community in an intimate way and tages or disadvantages. reached by the apostles and elders who can a diversity of programs to were at Jerusalem” (Acts 16:4, RSV). meet those needs. Congregational Thinking on “Other This evidence, while not indicating Hierarchical models of church Levels” a developed hierarchical system, does structure also have their advantages. To be fair to the topic, we also indicate much more than a congrega- Perhaps the first and foremost is that have to ask to what extent “congrega- tional form of church government. they provide the essential framework tional” thinking takes place at levels That does not mean that congregations for concerted action. A worldwide of church organization apart from the did not have authority in many or even church can target money and person- local congregation. Here, of course, most matters. The congregation was nel into needy areas of the world that definitions are critically important. extremely important in Paul’s eyes. The would be beyond the potential of a An example could be a type of think- Corinthian correspondence, in particu- local congregation. Larger structure ing that focuses, for instance, on indi- lar, indicates Paul’s respectful treatment not only provides concerted action but vidual projects as a target for giving of a troublesome congregation. He did also a global vision. Beyond those rather than merely giving and letting not take a high-handed approach to advantages, a hierarchical model pro- the proper authorities decide how the their need to clean up their mess (and vides for continuity and somewhat of a money is to be spent. it was truly a mess), but he certainly unity for its constituent parts. It’s no secret that just this kind of counseled them firmly from the light of project giving is on the increase in God’s principles to disfellowship at Adventism and that this form of con- least one of the dissidents (1 Cor. 5:4, gregational thinking is fostered all the 5) and to make moves in other ways way from the local church down to the that would put them in line with the General Conference president. Lord’s leading and will. The benefit of the project approach is that people really like to know what Exploring Advantages they are giving to. They want to see There are some very positive things where their money is going, rather than to be said about certain aspects of con- merely throwing it into the big “black gregationalism. First and foremost is hole” of the church’s administrative the important fact that the local con- machinery in trust that it will do some gregation is where the members “do” good. Members tend to give more to church. If the congregations are projects than to more nebulous targets. healthy and contented, then we can The downside of project giving is expect the other levels of the church that as more people give more money to be vibrant and healthy. But the in this way, they will eventually give converse is not necessarily true. It’s less to general funds. Administrators possible, through the proper types of are then forced to appeal even more to engineering (or manipulation), to have the project giving mentality. This sort a very healthy and vibrant structural Both congregational and hierarchi- of congregational thinking can be and institutional system, as long as the cal models of the church have their viewed as positive from one perspec- people remain convinced to support downsides, of course. Congregations, tive and detrimental from another. In the larger system, while having a for example, can easily become focused the final analysis it is merely another majority of listless congregations. on merely the needs of their local com- form of localism that is challenging an There is, however, a time bomb built munity and forget the larger mission of entrenched globalism. into the latter scenario. The fact of the the church. Without any accountabil- matter is that health at the congrega- ity, it is easier for them to wander from Is Uniformity Essential to Unity? tional level is the only way to guaran- their theological moorings, and it is The challenge of congregationalism tee long-term health at other structural also easier for them to come under the also requires that we ask and answer levels. sway of a charismatic leader and his or important questions about the differ- Another thing to note about a her peculiarities. Hierarchies, for their ences between unity and uniformity.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (111) 15 Must all parts of a global church do churches needed to comply: absten- Nine Appealing Features of things in exactly the same way, or are tion from unchastity, from foods sac- Congregationalism some variations possible? rificed to idols, from eating animals As some Seventh-day Adventists see In terms of church structure itself, that had been strangled, and from it, there are many appealing features to there is no compelling argument for eating blood (Acts 15:20, 28, 29). congregationalism, though not all “con- exact uniformity. The structure for While there were probably many gregational types” would find all points Seventh-day Adventist Church organi- other teachings that they agreed in the following list attractive. The zation, as has been amply demonstrated upon that are not mentioned, it is aspects of congregationalism that some by the published doctoral studies of surprising to observe how little uni- perceive to be appealing are listed in no Adventist scholars Andrew Mustard formity the apostles required in the particular order, but have been gleaned and Barry Oliver, has not been based on face of the obvious problems of from various types of members dissatis- some theoretical ecclesiology, but rather melding two quite diverse groups fied with the present order of things. on functionality for mission. We do well into the church. These are the concerns of some of the to note that it is the mission rather than The Jerusalem Council delegates brightest, most capable, most innova- the structure that is inspired. opted for diversity in their unity. But tive people in the denomination—the As Oliver so nicely puts it: same kind of people who initially “While Seventh-day Adventists have founded the Seventh-day Adventist become one of the most ethnically Church. These persons are not on diverse Christian denominations in the “lunatic fringe” of the church, the world, they remain not only in To remain viable, but are some of its most capable danger of failing to respond ade- members, some with the greatest quately to the change that cultural the church should potential. diversity has brought, but they are 1. Perceived and real abuses of even in peril of refusing to acknowl- power. Many wonder where the ser- edge that diversity necessitates struc- not only respect vanthood of leadership has gone, tural adaptation. To remain viable, even though the rhetoric has change should not only be respected, change, but remained. Too many see a two-level it must be anticipated.” 6 clergy model, somewhat like the The Seventh-day Adventist anticipate it. medieval church, with General Church has not been the first religious Motors-type bosses at the “top” and organization to face the challenges of the servants on the “bottom” in the unity on a worldwide basis. The his- local churches. tory of the Christian church indicates even those regulations, it should be 2. A lack of resources at the con- two solutions that have been tried by noted, were not universally enforced. gregational level. The institutions that other churches. The first is the Roman Paul certainly took a separate course raise the money have the fewest discre- Catholic solution, which resolved the of action in 1 Corinthians 8. Again, tionary funds in the ecclesiastical cultural diversity dilemma by permitting it seems strange that he didn’t cite “financial heap.” Many are tired of a wide range of variation under strict the Acts 15 ruling in Romans 14 hearing that a large portion of the hierarchical control. The second is the (which presumably deals with the funds come back through appropria- Protestant and Orthodox solution, same idol-related eating) if the Acts tions from higher levels. Such people which encouraged the formation of 15 legislation had been universally don’t want earmarked funds for a given national churches. binding. It appears that even the program, but funds that they can put This problem of unity in diversity Acts 15 legislation was either some- to use in their local area to implement was faced even earlier, as noted what of a localized ruling to the east- programs that will promote mission above, by the first-century church at ern part of the Mediterranean or opportunities that are especially invit- the Jerusalem Council, described in that, more likely, it was only binding ing in their local community. Acts 15. There the tectonic plates in time until the worst of the crisis 3. The problem of a church struc- of Jewish and Gentile church mem- had passed. ture with four levels above the con- berships clashed with each other, There is a difference between unity gregational level. Some are calling for with the majority in the Jerusalem and uniformity. Some have argued a trimmed-down institution that puts faction clamoring for universal that Adventism must be united in more money and personnel on the homogeneity. The brethren “in ses- mission, its core message, and in ser- front lines, where “doing church” sion,” under the guidance of the vanthood, but not in everything. In actually takes place. They point out Holy Spirit, finally formulated a rul- fact, these persons suggest that many that no other church in the world, ing whereby there were only four issues need to be decided by locality including the Roman Catholic things with which the Gentile or even by individuals. Church (which has two levels above

16 (112) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 Other pastors see their role as run- 10 Ways for Leaders to Foster Congregationalism ning Adventist dairy farms. Get as (If They Really Want To) many cows as possible, grow the largest possible udders on them, milk them as BY GEORGE KNIGHT often as possible, send the milk upstairs as soon as possible, and above all, keep 1. Confuse the present structures and ways of doing things with the only way the cows as quiet as possible. This per- to do things or with God’s only way of doing things. ception is matched by the fact that too 2. Be inflexible. many members feel that they are valued 3. React quickly rather than with careful analysis. chiefly by both their pastors and the 4. Confuse uniformity with unity. organization for their ability to give. 5. Treat structure as if it is more important than mission. In some world divisions of the 6. Continue to send (especially in North America) young ministers to non- church, the pressure is not so much on Seventh-day Adventist seminaries for pastoral training. Sending them to seminar- raising money as it is on producing bap- ies that are non-Adventist in theology and also congregational in polity will cer- tisms. I have had pastors tell me that in tainly speed up the process. some places they can’t even take their 7. Neglect the reality that congregational thinking takes place on the individ- vacation unless they reach their bap- ual level even more than with entire congregations. tismal goal. The solution for some is 8. Continue to downplay the perceived need to seriously downsize the sadly simple: just invent a few names. denominational system. 8. Theological differences. Some 9. Persist in the belief that things will get better or issues go away if leaders individuals and groups, who seem to just talk louder or ignore concerns. be in the minority, feel no need or 10. Fail to listen. desire to preach the eschatological implications of the Sabbath, although they still desire to preach the Sabbath the local congregation), has so many about by the Davenport, Walter Rea, itself. Beyond that, they object to the administrative levels to support. and crises. sanctuary doctrine and to calling the Some are tired of supporting such a The result in the larger culture has Seventh-day Adventist Church the massive structure and choose to put been postmodernism and postinstitu- exclusive remnant. It appears that their money toward projects—local or tionalism. The Christian world has otherwise. seen the arrival of what some have 4. Outreach potential of congrega- termed “postdenominationalism.” tional churches. Many sincere “Brand loyalty” is gone. Younger gen- Adventists not only seek funds to oper- erations will not support an organiza- ate on the local level but they also seek tion just because someone says it’s to create contemporary worship styles right. Moral suasion is more important and emphasize gospel preaching in a to them than authoritative arguments. sincere attempt at outreach. 6. The perception that no one is In nearly all of Adventism’s recent listening “up there.” Too many feel congregational breakaways it seems that the denominational leaders are that more successful outreach has merely expressing “knee-jerk” reac- been the engine behind congregation- tions to congregationalism rather than al-type initiatives. Many feel there really listening to concerns. are good reasons for such renewal. 7. Structural frictions between After all, they note, Adventism has pastors and congregations. Many pas- too many dead and dying congrega- tors feel that they have been placed in tions that have lost the ability to an adversarial role rather than a pas- attract and inspire either members or toral role vis-à-vis their congregations. nonmembers. In this view of things, the pastor’s job 5. Declining confidence in the is to produce numbers for the confer- organization by laypersons and pas- ence—numbers in terms of both they have less problem with the tors. This is part of a larger picture money and baptism. One leading pas- modest and biblically grounded state- that began developing in the larger tor of a multipastor congregation even ment of the remnant doctrine in the culture with Watergate and resistance told me that he was the manager of the 27 Fundamental Beliefs, but believe to the Vietnam War. In the church local Seventh-day Adventist franchise, that the baptismal vow on the topic there were parallel events brought much like his McDonald’s counterpart. moves beyond the evidence. Some

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (113) 17 observe that some conference- leaders on all levels, from the local level statements about the rem- The best option church down to the General Con- nant doctrine appear to be almost ference, begin to listen to the varied medieval when they define who would be to but responsible voices within the can be saved in the last days in church that are calling for a new sea- relation to the Seventh-day son of focus and initiative. I can only Adventist Church. develop a church urge that each of us stop talking long At any rate, some see congrega- enough to truly listen—listen with tionalism as being a way to achieve that uses the ears of our minds and the ears of more freedom to preach the gospel our hearts turned up to their most while playing down the Seventh-day congregational sensitive level. Adventist distinctive doctrines. Listen to the Adventist dissi- 9. An unhealthy resistance to dents: they may have some valid change. Much of the appeal of initiative while also points. congregationalism circles around Listen to the medieval Roman finances and distrust of the employing a Catholic Church, which didn’t church as represented by its lead- listen and made Luther into a hero. ership. Many members and pas- structure that Remember that Luther never wanted tors resent leaders who seem to to break away. believe that the present way of Listen to the message of our doing things is the only way of can focus Protestant heritage at its best, which doing things. Concerned individ- is one of protest in the light of uals fear that the denomination worldwide assets Scripture. may have confused its structure And listen to the Lord of the with its mission. They are on mission. church who still guides His people attracted to congregationalism by from His throne in the Most Holy the truism that the denomination Place. can only be healthy if it is It is in the power of denomina- healthy at the congregational level. tional legal corporations could be tional leadership to determine whether I have looked rather extensively at abused. After all, the history of Adventist congregationalism will be a what causes congregationalism to be Christianity has many times witnessed wake-up call or a death knell. appealing to some Adventists. Fears of theological minorities wresting control If we hear the wake-up call but the movement may be more quickly from the majority and taking their prop- merely hit the “snooze” button, we summarized. erty and movement down strange paths. may end up being responsible for turn- Many concerned members fear While the development of such a ing a troubling trend into a full-scale that as congregationalism increases, problem at the denominational level is disaster. ■ Adventism might disintegrate struc- not impossible, the weight of an entire turally. In that scenario it would no denomination does provide a stabilizing 1 James White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Dec. 6, 1853, p. 173. longer be able to focus its “firepower” factor not available to a loose cluster of 2 George Knight, Millennial Fever (Boise, in the effective employment of peo- congregations. Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1993), pp. 327- ple and finances to the entire world. 342. 3 ———, Matthew, Bible Amplifier Series Again, once central authority is Options for the Future (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1994), p. gone, there could easily develop a The obvious or preferred option 168. diversification of theological perspec- would be to develop a church that uti- 4 The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. tives along with a localism that has lizes congregational initiative, respon- Assn., 1956), vol. 5, p. 433. (Italics supplied.) not only lost its world vision, but has sibility, and diversity to the fullest 5 William G. Johnsson, in Adventist Review, lost the vision of Adventism as apoc- while at the same time capturing the Nov., 1997, p. 17. 6 Barry Oliver, Seventh-day Adventist alyptic people with a mission to the advantages of a structure that can Organizational Structure (Berrien Springs, Mich.: entire world (Rev. 14:6-12). amass and focus worldwide assets for Press, 1989), p. 355. Other genuine fears relate to the pos- the purpose of mission. It is easier, of sible rise of regional charismatic leaders course, to state the ideal than it is to who could dominate congregations in actualize it. George Knight is professor of the same way that some Protestant pas- It is even easier to maintain the sta- Church History at the tors have abused their positions. tus quo. And that is another possible Seventh-day Adventist There is also the danger that the option, though hardly a good one. Theological Seminary in establishment of independent congrega- Instead, it seems vital that Adventist Berrien Springs, Michigan.

18 (114) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 IT SEEMS TO ME N/A R. LYNN SAULS

requently I receive questionnaires. A marketing into its mold.” To the Christian, the way of the world is N/A. company wants to know how airlines can improve We’re frequently reminded of Prof. Tobiassen when tele- their frequent-flier programs. A professor is doing marketers call and catalogs arrive in the mail. research for her next Catalogs of pornographic videos book. The Christian are pitched into the trash. N/A. FCoalition is taking a poll, hoping to “Mrs. Sauls, how are you today?” influence Congress. I’m asked to To the Christian, the telemarketer from Jacobson’s respond with Strongly Agree, Department Store gives herself away Agree, Uncertain, Disagree, or the way of the (no friend ever begins a phone con- Strongly Disagree; Yes, No, or versation that way). “We’re offering Uncertain. Some of the answers can world is N/A. all newcomers to Naples a complete be N/A (Not Applicable). Often makeover—rouge, lipstick, eye that’s the only answer I can give. shadow—free.” N/A. We’re not new When we moved to Florida, I learned that N/A is a to Naples anymore. And to Helen the rouge, lipstick, and response I give to choices other than those on questionnaires. eye shadow are N/A. Finding a good gardening book was hard when we lived in “We’ll give you a coffeemaker if you try our coffee for one Tennessee. Most are written for people living near Lancaster, month.” N/A. Pennsylvania. I amassed quite a collection of such books and “We’ll send you a free carton of cigarettes for filling out tried to adapt the information to Tennessee. How exciting to our questionnaire.” N/A. find a title such as Gardening in the South. I learned that for A discount coupon for jewelry comes in the advertising peonies to bloom, the root crown should go through a freeze. section of the Sunday paper. N/A. Growing peonies in the Midsouth required that the crowns be “Today we’re giving a free bottle of wine with every two planted nearly even with the surface—not two inches below, entrée orders.” N/A. as all the regular garden books tell you. If the crown is planted two inches below the surface in Tennessee, it would ome things are always applicable: “For God so loved likely miss getting frozen and fail to bloom. the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that Gardening in southern Florida is even more different. Swhosoever believeth in him should not perish, but Instead of planting a vegetable garden in April and May, have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Blessed are they which one plants in September and October. The summers are too do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be hot and wet for most vegetables to do well. It is November filled” (Matt. 5:6). “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: as I write this, and our garden is in—tomatoes, peppers, egg- the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he plants, and others. I broke my resolve never to buy any more withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Ps. 84:11). gardening books. I now have 19 devoted to Florida garden- “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own ing. The others were N/A. mold,” writes Paul, “but let God remold your minds from with- Direct-mail advertising is seldom useful to me. It is less so in, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for in Florida. Catalogs feature winter clothes, warm coats, you is good” (Rom. 12:1, 2, Phillips). We should cling to the cashmere and cable-knit sweaters. N/A. Catalogs invite us applicables, but not be conformed to the nonapplicables. to order oranges and grapefruit from California or Texas. So it seems to me. N/A. We have our own trees. When Helen and I were students at Southern Adventist R. Lynn Sauls is retired from teaching English and University (then Southern Missionary College), we had a journalism at the college and university level. He teacher who frequently paraphrased Romans 12:2: “Be not and his wife respond to marketing gimmicks from conformed to the Tennessee way of life,” Prof. Leif Tobiassen their home in Naples, Florida. would say. “Don’t let the Tennessee way of life squeeze you

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (115) 19 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES TED Sets Focus in Winter Meetings

BY MIROSLAV PUJIC, TED COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR

ore than 80 adminis- Division treasurer Graham Barham union structure to oversee the church’s trators, pastors, and reported that division finances were work in Albania, Croatia, and lay members from 38 sound and that the organization was Slovenia. Starting this month, the countries converged better able to deal with crises that may Adriatic Union will be comprised of in Slovenia for the arise in the future. the Albanian Mission and the MTrans-European Division (TED) exec- The division meeting included Croatian-Slovenian Conference. utive committee’s annual winter meet- intensive discussions on proposed New Ingathering System. Final ings November 16-19. Church Manual changes, reports from approval was given to a major overhaul The theme of the meetings was union presidents, the adoption of vari- of the annual Ingathering program. “Experience the Fellowship of His ous policy items, and the approval of Major adjustments were incorporated Family” (1 John 1:1-4). In his into the new system. Ingathering keynote address, TED president funds will no longer be regarded as Bertil Wiklander said, “God has General Conference funds, but will not left us alone with our fragile fall under the responsibility of the human longings and hypotheses, as division. Money will flow directly if our faith were a mere dream or from the division or from home imagination. We too can experi- unions to overseas projects, ence Jesus, love Him, believe Him, enabling speedy transfer to points as a solid fact. of need. “The new system will gen- “All of God’s gifts center on the erate greater confidence in the concept of the ‘fellowship of God’s minds of our members in the family.’ This is the context in integrity of the Ingathering pro- which faith can become more than gram and hopefully lead to just a defense of true propositions COME TO ORDER: TED president Bertil Wiklander (cen- increased participation in the col- about reality. Consequently, we as ter) welcomes delegates. lection of funds,” says Martin leaders must protect this fellow- Anthony, division personal min- ship and ensure that it functions as istries director. a healthy fellowship where people can the 1999 division budget. Here are a Evangelistic Tools. “In our divi- ‘know God and the power of his few highlights: sion there were four unions that took Spirit.’ Strategic Plan. Wiklander part in NET ’98. Over 20,000 mem- “We must activate it, release its informed the committee that most of bers attended, and up to 7,000 non- spiritual potential, ensuring that, in the action plans of the TED strategic Adventists,” reports Miroslav Pujic, the fellowship of the church, the life- plan were accomplished. In addition TED NET ’98 coordinator. “Most of giving powers of the Holy Spirit are to that, the TED has produced a the unions will use NET ’98 video- able to work. We have the task of videotape entitled Until the Lost Be tapes as an evangelistic tool next preparing the way for the coming of Found to help conferences and mis- year,” he continues. the Lord! This is the vision we must sions to implement their strategic “The division leadership is adapting share with our pastors and elders. May plans. As part of the strategic plan, NET ’98 in order to maximize its effec- God help us bring that vision home!” division leaders promoted Bible read- tiveness,” says Philip Follett, General TED secretary Reinder Bruinsma ing. Several ideas were suggested on Conference vice president. “By using reported that division membership how members can make Bible reading these attractive, winsome presenta- currently totaled 92,216, marking a a part of their everyday life. tions of Adventist Bible teachings, decrease of 260 members as compared New Union. Division leaders combined with powerful appeals to fol- to the same period last year. announced the establishment of a new low Jesus, churches throughout this

20 (116) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES division are sharing the benefits of this the “Message and Mission” emphasis sented by Orville Woolford, TED series.” for 1999 will be “Experience the director of education and health min- TED is fostering the understanding Fellowship of God’s Family” and will istries. The committee voted to support that NET ’98 is the first part of disci- center on the blessings made available his request for leaders to promote the pling and therefore equally important is through church life and witness. In the walk among their youth, giving them a commitment to nurture and keep the year 2000 the emphasis will be the opportunity to demonstrate their new believers in communion with God. “Experience the Certainty of His commitment to a drug-free lifestyle by New tools for evangelism, nurture, Coming.” walking 10 kilometers before June 2000. and instruction are being developed: In July 1999 a Festival of Faith The Hope 2000 initiative was also pre- the TED website was inaugurated convention will be held in Protoroz, sented to the committee with ideas for (www.ted-adventist.org) as a cyber- Slovenia. The festival will focus on local congregations that will enable source of information; an evangelistic methods of evangelism and sharing of them to become centers of hope and CD was presented, with 4,400 slides faith in an increasingly secularized love in their communities. from Bible sites in the Middle East, for society and will present several mod- General Conference Session pastors and laypersons having evange- els for planting new congregations Offering. Division Global Mission listic series using slides. The Search and strengthening existing ones. coordinator Peter Roennfeldt promoted video series was also introduced. “The “Emphasis will be placed on personal a special offering that will take place Search has all the excitement of a live testimony and sharing experiences,” during the GC session in the year 2000 mission, plus the added attraction of says Martin Anthony. “We hope to in Toronto to aid countries in North on-location pictures, expert interviews, find great encouragement from the , Southern Europe, and the - and special effects,” says Pujic. “We stories of God’s providential leading Pacific region. The purpose of this believe it will be a powerful tool for in the work of soul winning.” offering is to help people who live in winning souls,” he says. The General Conference program these areas to have a deeper under- Mission Emphasis. The theme for Walk Around the World 2000 was pre- standing of the gospel.

NEWSBREAK

Satellite Evangelism Female Pastors Inducted in Finland Reaches High Arctic For the first time in Finland Seventh-day Adventist female pastors with commissioned minister credentials he recent NET ’98 telecasts have reached remote were included in ministerial induction services. T areas accessible only by satellite downlink. Anna-Leena Jaakkola of Helsinki and Sibrina Judy and Olav Falsnes live in the isolated town of Kalliokoski of Tampere were included in separate induc- Inuvik, 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Canada’s tion services for pastors with commissioned minister cre- Northwest Territories. But even there they were able to dentials on December 13. receive the transmissions. In Helsinki, Finland Finnish Conference president “The broadcast satellite is so low on the horizon that Erkki Haapasalo conducted the service with local pastors, our dish actually points down,” says Olav Falsnes. “We and in Tampere, Finland Union Conference president live 850 miles from the nearest Seventh-day Adventist Pekka Pohjola and Bertil Wiklander, president of the church, so this series was really helpful. Though atten- Trans-European Division, officiated. dance was of course small, the opportunity to share what Anna-Leena Jaakkola is the youth director of the we believe in this way was wonderful.” Finland Union and Finland Finnish Conference; Sibrina The Falsneses operate a guest house for visitors to the Kalliokoski is a local pastor in the Tampere church, and region, which is often totally isolated in winter by severe also a member of the General Conference Executive weather. Olav works as a pilot and mechanic, and has Committee. landed four times at the North Pole. “I am delighted that these services have been con- Working with local Inuits, they have arranged for ducted for two very effective pastors,” said Peter religious books and tapes to be produced in the Inuit Roennfeldt, Trans-European Division Ministerial language. Association secretary. Even though the induction ser- The satellite outreach programs add another welcome vice was conducted for the first time in Finland, one of tool to their ministry in the High Arctic.—Adventist the unique characteristics of the church in Finland has News Network. always been the prominent contribution of women

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (117) 21 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES Who Feeds the Homeless in March?

BY DICK DUERKSEN, DIRECTOR OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, FLORIDA HOSPITAL

ivers, poor and rich, tend to donate resources quickly volunteer at shelters, “so the kids will know what it means and generously when an ugly catastrophe hits. For to give.” Sidewalk beggars, wise to reality, hoard their holi- Ginstance, the “once-in-a-century” floods in North day coins against the coming drought. Dakota and Central America’s soggy hurricane Mitch brought The scarcity begins in January as holiday helpers go home out the best in givers. For a brief moment, service agencies to serve soup at their New Year’s parties. Memories of hurri- were flooded with funds and offers of “anything you need.” canes, floods, fires, volcanoes, tornadoes, hunger, plague, and Unfortunately, the giving moment is brief. Eager dona- shivering families are replaced with plans for Valentine’s tions are speedily replaced by a time of Day, spring break, and school recitals. compassion overload, a time when piggy NEWS COMMENTARY It’s too bad that compassion is not a banks can be cracked only by photos of constant commodity, something that can thinner children, deeper floods, or more desperate mothers. be depended upon regularly rather than hoped for in This compassion overload challenge is real, except at response to emergency needs or guilt-ridden holidays. Maybe Thanksgiving and Christmas. the U.S. government ought to move Thanksgiving to On one November Thursday, and during one December March. Maybe milk cartons should carry photos of starving week, thousands of Americans bring cans to work, drop babies. Maybe W-4 forms should include a box for monthly coins into Salvation Army cauldrons, and donate to the Red donations to the United Way. Maybe Nike should advertise Cross. Politicians shoulder each other to be photographed NEEDS rather than WANTS. serving soup to bristly men and patchwork women. Families Maybe Santa should work all year.

NEWSBREAK

evangelists. The first Finnish-born ministerial worker More Than 8,300 Visit GC’s Bethlehem was Alma Bjdigg, licensed as a minister by the Finland Mission in 1904. She was a former captain in the More than 8,300 persons came to the Adventist Salvation Army. Church world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, Women especially took their place in the evange- to “walk through Bethlehem” December 10-14, 1998. listic work during and after World War II. They General Conference (GC) employees re-create the attracted large audiences through which hundreds of interactive village of Bethlehem annually as a gift to the converts were baptized and new churches were estab- surrounding community. More than 100 costumed vol- lished. “We want the same inspiring spirit to continue unteers participate in the event, and area musical among our ministerial female workers, and we want to groups also provide entertainment. The visitors received support it,” said Haapasalo. more than 3,400 pieces of literature, reports Thomas Neslund, an associate director in the General OC Students Spend Holidays in Sudan

While most college students were celebrating Christmas and New Year’s with their families, 17 stu- dents from Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, decided to spread Christmas cheer in Sudan, reports the Washington Post. These volunteers from the National Association for the Prevention of Starvation constructed two schools in the village of Turalei. During their two- week mission the students also distributed food, sang hymns, and performed Bible-based dramatic skits, reports the Post.

22 (118) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES

Religion in the News Historical Note Bread for the World: The End of Hunger Is “Within Reach” 100 Years Ago . . . New England Sanitarium Announced In its annual hunger report called “The Changing The region of the country that gave birth to the Advent Politics of Hunger,” Bread for the World has come to a movement was by no means first to establish health-care startling conclusion: “The end of hunger is within reach.” institutions to strengthen “the right arm of the message.” But if the goal of ending hunger at home and abroad is More than 30 years after the Western Health Reform to be reached, the group said, the national and interna- Institute opened in Battle Creek, Adventists in New tional community must muster the political will to do so. England rejoiced at the January 24, 1899, notice in the In making its assertion, officials of the grassroots anti- Review and Herald that a sanitarium would soon be planted hunger lobby noted that over the past 25 years—since the in their region. Dr. announced the first United Nations-sponsored world food conference, the decision to buy a newly built dormitory from South proportion of hungry people has dropped from one third to Lancaster Academy, in Massachusetts, to use as the princi- one fifth of the world’s population—and that despite pal building for the new enterprise. increases in the world’s population. The New England Sanitarium was not destined to be In the , the report said, 11.2 million peo- long on its original site, however. By 1902 a wealthy ple live in households that cannot afford enough food for landowner in Lancaster, John Thayer, purchased the prop- their families. erty, but allowed the building to be taken down and “Christians have not, for the most part, even begun to reassembled 40 miles east on the shores of Spot Pond in use their influence to insist that their own churches and Stoneham, Massachusetts. their own countries lead a worldwide campaign to end There the “San” evolved into New England Memorial hunger,” said Arthur Simon, the founder and president Hospital, and more recently, into Boston Regional Medical emeritus of the group. “So hunger is a scandal—not only in Center, in which the Seventh-day Adventist Church con- the sense of moral outrage, but also as a failure to give evi- tinues to hold a minority interest. dence of God’s love.”—Religion News Network.

NEWSBREAK

Conference Health Ministries Department who coordi- Regional Department in 1966. Fordham became depart- nated the event. ment director in 1975 and served until he retired in In cooperation with radio station WHUR-FM, the 1979. In this position Fordham played a major role in GC hosted a dinner for 20 homeless persons and invited the development of the Adventist Church’s official them to take part in the tour. position on human relations.

Retired GC Director Dies AWR Appoints New Vice President

Walter W. Fordham, a retired pastor, evangelist, In an effort to expand its ministry into new media administrator, and General Conference departmental Radio has appointed leader, died October 27, 1998, in Pine Forge, Max Church, Jr., vice president for devel- Pennsylvania, after a long illness. He opment. In the newly created position, was 87 years old. Church will be responsible for the world- Born in Charleston, South wide areas of development and public Carolina, Fordham began his ministry relations for AWR, but will focus on rela- in the New Jersey Conference. He Max Church, Jr. tionships with sponsors through events later pastored in Pennsylvania, and personal contacts. Florida, and other Southern states, Church had been serving as Adventist Development Walter W. Fordham where he became known as a and Relief Agency director in Malawi. spokesperson for racial equality. In 1946 Fordham became secretary and evangelist for What’s Upcoming the Southwestern Union Conference. He later became the first president of the Southwest Region Conference. Jan. 30 Religious Liberty Day He also served as president for the South Central Feb. 6 Bible Evangelism Emphasis and Central State conferences before joining the Feb. 13-20 Christian Home and Marriage Week General Conference as associate director of the (old) Feb. 20 Youth Temperance Day

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (119) 23 FEATURE

Albut Not oneLonely Beating back the isolation blues

BY MORRIS CHALFANT

HICAGO TRIBUNE COLUMNIST BOB Loneliness permeates the culture. Look at the ads: New Greene once told of a 78-year-old widower who York telephone says “Don’t be lonely, pick up the phone.” wrote to him requesting information about an AT&T’s ad campaign of a few years ago urged people to obscene telephone “club” that Greene had crit- “reach out and touch someone.” In beer ads people don’t icized in his column. The letter intrigued drink by themselves; they’re drinking with others. The ads CGreene. He sensed a tone different from the deluge of letters aren’t selling alcohol; they’re selling friendship. Sellers of received in response to the column, and his journalistic goods are increasingly aware of how vulnerable we are and instincts told him that there was more behind the request how loneliness is a button to be pushed to make people buy. than a desire to be titillated or erotically aroused. Although loneliness comes sometimes to all of us, it is, in He called the man, though he was half a continent away, particular, one of the blights of old age, far worse than for those and found himself talking to a sincere, gracious, intelligent in youth or middle age. Almost a quarter of the elderly in the individual who, it turned out, had never made an obscene tele- United States and Great Britain live alone. But the two facts phone call in his life. Why had he written Bob Greene with a are not coincident. Living alone does not by itself mean that an request for information? The answer was sad and moving. old person is lonely; the losses he or she has suffered in family, “Well, I’m alone,” he began. “I’m past the age when I friends, and the social world through the years contribute to could go out to a bar and play kneesies with the girls. I loneliness more than the simple fact of physical isolation. watch the tube, I cook my own meals, I do my own house- This is one of the most important findings of a major sur- keeping—I sit here like a piece of cheese. I drink almost vey of living conditions and behavior of elderly people in nothing. I exercise, and I try to live a healthy life, and I Denmark, Britain, and the United States. The report, “Old hope to live another 10 years. But I am very lonely.” People in Three Industrial Societies,” may be the single most revealing document of the past decade explaining sci- The Lonely Generation entifically what it’s like to be old. There’s no question that loneliness is one of the most “Old People” makes the distinction between living common problems facing older people at the end of the alone and age-related isolation, or “social isolation,” which twentieth century, when we’re all victims of the increased usually is the cause of loneliness. “A person who has lost a mechanization and isolation of our mass society. The effects social intimate (usually someone he or she loves, such as are subtle. Experts tell us that loneliness may be the source husband or wife, a relative, or a close friend) is isolated rel- of hundreds of physical or behavioral symptoms, including ative to a previous situation,” the report says. This is “deso- headaches, backaches, depression, alcoholism, drug use, even lation.” Time “heals” the loss more easily for young people suicide. Some psychologists believe that people are more than it does for the old, as the young have more opportu- afraid of being lonely than of being hungry. nity to remarry or replace the lost close relative or

24 (120) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 friend. But for the old, the substi- at his eightieth birthday party what he my mind I find four causes why old age is tutes—when they find them—“tend had learned about life, he answered, “I thought miserable: one, that it calls us to fall short of former intimates in can tell you in three words: it goes on.” away from the transactions of affairs; the the roles they play in second, that it renders [their] lives and affec- the body more feeble; tions.” the third, that it deprives us of almost all A Generation at Risk pleasures; the fourth, Observation and that it is not very far experience tell us that from death.” loneliness is a major When Helen Keller problem for the aged. celebrated her eighti- Everyone feels lonely eth birthday, she was on occasion, and some interviewed by Ann are forever disturbed by Carnaban for This feelings of isolation, but Week magazine. One feelings of loneliness question was “Are you appear to be more ever lonely?” intense and more fre- Miss Keller’s answer: quent with age. “Sometimes a sense of Longing for people who isolation enfolds me were dear and for days like a mist. But I no that are gone sweeps longer feel I stand over us pilgrims of alone. I now need soli- advanced journeys. tude to write and so When such feelings much has been given inevitably come, I use me I have no time to activity as an antidote: ponder over that I go to work, play some which has been golf, take a walk, write denied.” Keller had a poem, or call a friend. learned the art of being Enthusiasm, courage, alone—alone but not optimism, and zest for lonely. Alone with life are the traits of the great thoughts, great veterans who have dreams, great truths— learned how to live and alone with God. provide some enjoyment This is the ultimate for those around them. conqueror of loneli- Confucius once said, ness: companionship “The sin of youth is lust; with God. Will you the sin of middle age is know that Companion struggle; but the sin of and cultivate that old age is avarice.” Yet friendship? many oldsters have bucked the trend. People of goodwill Old age comes suddenly upon us. prayer: Alone but not lonely, who know how to live, to love, to No one knows that better than old because we are alone with Thee. think truth, and to trust God are people. Like the passing of a puff of AGive us this blessed experience, always in demand. The person who steam, like grass that so soon withers our Father. Amen. ■ exemplifies such civil and humane val- and dies, life nears its end. Hosea said ues as gratitude, loyalty, compassion, of Ephraim: “Aliens devour his and generosity is immortal—like fine strength, and he knows it not; gray

ISC art and violins, which get better with hairs are sprinkled upon him, and he D Morris Chalfant is a retired age. I want to be that kind of person knows it not” (Hosea 7:9, RSV). HOTO pastor, evangelist, and mis- and prove that, for me at least, life Sorrow and sickness, loneliness and © P sionary who writes from begins at 70—or maybe 80. despair, often accompany advancing

HOTO Bourbonnais, Illinois. P When poet Robert Frost was asked years. Cicero wrote: “When I consider in

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (121) 25 SPIRIT OF PROPHECY Listening to One Another

BY ELLEN G. WHITE

The following article, intended primarily for pastors, offers between Christ and His Father, and which Christ prayed good counsel to all members of the church.—Editors. might exist among His brethren? Though we have an individual work atan well knows that success and an individual responsibility before can only attend order and har- God, we are not to follow our own inde- monious action. He well knows pendent judgment, regardless of the opin- that everything connected ions and feelings of our brethren; for this with heaven is in perfect order, course would lead to disorder in the Sthat subjection and perfect discipline church. It is the duty of ministers to mark the movements of the angelic host. respect the judgment of their brethren; It is his studied effort to lead professed but their relations to one another, as well Christians just as far from heaven’s as the doctrines they teach, should be arrangement as he can; therefore he brought to the test of the law and the tes- deceives even the professed people of timony; then, if hearts are teachable, God and makes them believe that order there will be no divisions among us. Some and discipline are enemies to spirituality, are inclined to be disorderly, and are drift- that the only safety for them is to let each pursue his own ing away from the great landmarks of the faith; but God is course, and to remain especially distinct from bodies of moving upon His ministers to be one in doctrine and in spirit. Christians who are united and are laboring to establish disci- It is necessary that our unity today be of a character that pline and harmony of action. All the efforts made to establish will bear the test of trial. . . . We have many lessons to order are considered dangerous, a restriction of rightful liberty, learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone and hence are feared as popery. These devoted souls consider are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to it a virtue to boast of their freedom to think and act indepen- give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an dently. They will not take any man’s say-so. They are opinion, will be disappointed. As long as we hold to our amenable to no man. I was shown that it is Satan’s special own ideas and opinions with determined persistency, we work to lead men to feel that it is God’s order for them to cannot have the unity for which Christ prayed. strike out for themselves and choose their own course inde- When a brother receives new light upon the Scriptures, pendent of their brethren. he should frankly explain his position, and every minister God is leading a people out from the world upon the ex- should search the Scriptures with the spirit of candor to see

alted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of God if the points presented can be substantiated by the Inspired ISC and the faith of Jesus. He will discipline and fit up His peo- Word. “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be D ple. They will not be at variance, one believing one thing gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness HOTO and another having faith and views entirely opposite, each instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradven- © P HOTO

moving independently of the body. Through the diversity of ture will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the P the gifts and governments that He has placed in the church, truth” (2 Tim. 2:24, 25). they will all come to the unity of the faith. If one man takes his views of Bible truth without regard to the opinion of his This article is excerpted from Testimonies to brethren, and justifies his course, alleging that he has a right Ministers and Gospel Workers (pp. 29-31) and to his own peculiar views, and then presses them upon oth- was written in 1901 at a time when the Seventh- ers, how can he be fulfilling the prayer of Christ? And if day Adventist Church was studying reorganization. another and still another arises, each asserting his right to Seventh-day Adventists believe that Ellen G. White believe and talk what he pleases without reference to the exercised the biblical gift of prophecy during more than 70 years faith of the body, where will be that harmony which existed of public ministry.

26 (122) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 years later went to Pennsylvania and then and departmental director in California, Florida, where he became known as a China, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland. spokesperson for racial equality. He served as For 15 years prior to his retirement in 1975 the first president of the Southwest Region he was director of the Department of Public Conference and later as president of the Affairs of the General Conference. For eight South Central and Central States confer- years he was a missionary in China and the ences. He came to the General Conference in Philippines. He is survived by one daughter, 1966, where he played a major role in the Marvelyn Loewen-Sturdevant; one brother; development of the church’s official stand on one sister; three grandchildren; and one human relations. He is survived by one son, great-grandchild. Walter, Jr.; three daughters, Lois F. Lester, Audrey E. Booker, and Kathryn Adams; one MANCHUR, Michael—b. Mar. 12, brother, Henry J. Fordham, Jr.; one sister, 1916, Gilbert Plains, Manitoba; d. Aug. 26, Jessie R. Wagner; 11 grandchildren; and nine 1998. He served as a literature evangelist in great-grandchildren. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Later At Rest he became the Loma Linda Foods represen- FOULSTON, Ada Louisa Manuel—b. tative for Canada. He is survived by one son, CANTRELL, Donald R.—b. Mar. 9, Apr. 11, 1911, Fenelon Falls, Ontario; d. Oct. Freddie; one daughter, Shirley Reimche; two 1933, Panhandle, Tex.; d. Mar. 5, 1998, 21, 1998, St. Helena, Calif. She served in the brothers, Tony and Joe; two sisters, Francis Clinton, Mass. He served in the church as an denomination for 14 years as a secretary in Maxwell and Olive Boggs; and four grand- educator in South Dakota, Minnesota, the Canadian Union Conference and 30 years children. Washington, and Missouri. In 1967 he went with her pastor-husband in Canada and to Atlantic , where he served northern California. She is survived by her MARTIN, Cecile Elaine—b. Dec. 8, from 1967 to 1985. He was a trustee of husband, Wilbert; one son, Wayne; one 1930, Florence, Ala.; d. May 24, 1998, Clinton Savings Bank for 19 years. He is sur- daughter, Ruth Wiebe; two brothers, Percy Orlando, Fla. She served as staff nurse and vived by his wife, Gaylah; one son, Wayne; and Raymond Manuel; three sisters, Elsie director of nursing at Pewee Valley Hospital his mother, Iva; one brother, Wilbur; and Michaels, Ena Pillgreen, and Mae Whorton; and later as a nurse in rehabilitation at three grandchildren. and three grandchildren. Florida Hospital, where she worked for more than 20 years. She is survived by one brother, CASLER, Mary L.—b. Jan. 3, 1925, LARSON, David J.—b. June 20, 1930, Carlton Martin. Olean, N.Y.; d. Oct. 10, 1998, Ukiah, Calif. Bemidji, Minn.; d. May 18, 1998, Bemidji, She graduated with a theology degree in 1947 Minn., with his wife, as a result of an auto NEUMANN-MIKLOS, Sue—b. Dec. and served as dean of girls at Arizona accident. He taught many years in church ele- 19, 1916, Chicago, Ill.; d. Oct. 20, 1998, Academy, Broadview Academy, and Atlantic mentary schools in North and South Dakota, Yountville, Calif. She served with her pastor- Union College. She later became a family Missouri, and Minnesota. He is survived by husband, John C. Miklos, and also was a counselor in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and one son, Rocky; one brother, Virgil; two sis- nurse specializing in obstetrics at Washington then in Madison, Tennessee. In 1979 she estab- ters, Arlene Frishman and Judy Bodner; and Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, lished the Department of Pastoral Care at the three grandchildren. Maryland; Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Adventist hospital in Ukiah. She is survived by Michigan; and St. Helena Hospital in her husband, Paul; three sons, Jonathan, Carl, LARSON, Eleanor—b. Sept. 19, 1931, California. She is survived by two daughters, and James; mother, Lenora Higgins; one sister, Omaha, Nebr.; d. May 18, 1998, Bemidji, Sharon Sue Christensen and Ivanette Beth Tralece Burch; and seven grandchildren. Minn., with her husband, as a result of an Osborn; one sister, Elinor Wilson; and six auto accident. She served with her husband, grandchildren. ENGLISH, Gervie—b. Jan. 18, 1917, David, a church elementary school teacher. Thorburn, Nova Scotia; d. Sept. 11, 1998, She is survived by one son, Rocky; three sis- SANIDAD, Benjamin C., Sr.—b. June Napa, Calif. He served at Pacific Press ters, Dorothy Jewell, Jean Cooper, and 6, 1919; d. June 22, 1998, North York, Publishing Association for 19 years. He is sur- Beverly Reynolds; and three grandchildren. Ontario. He served as a youth and educa- vived by his wife, Jean O’Hara English; two tional superintendent of the Northern Luzon daughters, Joyce Frye and Carol Putman; four LEMON, Elizabeth Priscilla—b. Aug. 21, Mission in the Philippines. He was an educa- grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. 1919, Takoma Park, Md.; d. Aug. 16, 1998, tor in three academies in the Philippines and Buena Vista, Va. She served for 41 years with later was a Bible teacher at Philippine Union FORDHAM, Henry Joseph, Jr.—b. Apr. her husband, Philip Lemon, in pastoral, College in Manila. He is survived by his wife, 4, 1914, Charleston, S.C.; d. Nov. 25, 1998, departmental, and administrative work in the Esther C. Roda; two sons, Ben and Orlie; Pine Forge, Pa. He served as a pastor in United States, Canada, and the former three daughters, Amy Romero, Paz Ravadilla, Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, Belgian Congo/Zaire. She also worked as a and Alma Esmin Macaraeg; 15 grandchil- Georgia, and other areas. He is survived by secretary in the General Conference and later dren, and four great-grandchildren. his wife, Geneva; one son, Henry III; one sis- for the president of Andrews University. She ter, Jessie R. Wagner; nine grandchildren; is survived by her husband, Philip; two sons, SCZEKAN, Michael—b. June, 1954, and 13 great-grandchildren. Bob and Wayne; one daughter, Jean Mabuto; Denver, Colo.; d. Mar. 28, 1998, and seven grandchildren. Cumberland, Maine. He served in the church FORDHAM, Walter Wraggs, Sr.—b. for more than 17 years as a pastor and evan- Oct. 20, 1911, Charleston, S.C.; d. Oct. 26, LOEWEN, Marvin Elfert—b. Aug. 17, gelist. At the time of his death he was associ- 1998, Pine Forge, Pa. He served in the 1907, Texas County, Okla.; d. Oct. 24, 1998, ate treasurer for the Northern New England denomination for 60 years. He began as a Loma Linda, Calif. He served for 45 years as a Conference in Portland, Maine. He is sur- pastor in the New Jersey Conference and four pastor-evangelist, missionary, administrator, vived by his wife, Nicole; one son, Bryce;

28 (124) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 four stepdaughters, Emily, Rachael, Adrielle, grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. retirement. Coming out of retirement, he and Kaela; his parents, Frank and Marjorie; became an administrator and auditor for and two brothers, Bernard and Steve. WIIST, William Vernon—b. Sept. 29, and retired again at 1923, Henrietta, Tex.; d. Oct. 7, 1998, Keene, age 75. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie; SHOUP, Max Wallace—age 87; d. June Tex. Beginning as business manager of four sons, James J., Philip R., Wayne W., and 11, 1998, Beaver Dam, Wis. He served in the Sunnydale Academy in Missouri, he later L. Scott; one daughter, Teresa Williamson; 19 church for more than 35 years, first in the served as a treasurer in Inter-America and grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and Treasury Department of the Review and Texas. He was administrator of Ardmore two great-great-grandchildren. Herald Publishing Association and later as Adventist Hospital in Oklahoma and then treasurer of the Southern Publishing became the first administrator of Huguley ZINKE, Maxine—age 77; d. Oct. 5, 1998, Association. After retiring, he served as book- Memorial Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. After Hendersonville, N.C. She graduated from keeper for the Adventist Book Center in 38 years of denominational service he devel- the School of Dietetics at Loma Linda Madison, Tennessee. He also logged more than oped the Lifestyle Center of America, near University and served with her husband as a 1,000 hours as a volunteer at the Tennessee Ardmore, Oklahoma. He is survived by his missionary in Montemorelos, Mexico, for four Christian Medical Center. He is survived by wife, Arlene; one son, Michael; two daughters, years. She is survived by her husband of 54 his wife, Irene; four daughters, Jackee Golick, Linda Knutson and Debbie Speyer; one sister, years, Dr. David Zinke; three sons, David E., Nancy Chaput, Tina Shoup, and Laurie Herr; Nell Tammen; and four grandchildren. Ed, and Dan; one sister, Anita Kolstad; and one sister, June Omans; seven grandchildren; 12 grandchildren. and seven great-grandchildren. WILLIAMSON, Jesse James—b. Mar. 25, 1905, Willow Springs, Mo.; d. Aug. 3, There is no system in place to notify us of the SIMPSON, James M.—b. Nov. 5, 1913, 1998, Nixa, Mo. He served in evangelism in deaths of denominational workers. Only one con- Ludlow, Mo.; d. Oct. 24, 1998, Salem, Oreg. the Midwest and Canada. After continuing ference shares this information with us. Most of He served in the denomination for 27 years his education and receiving a doctorate in our announcements come from notices and e- as furniture factory manager and sales mana- education, he chaired the Graduate mails from family members and friends. Often ger at three different academies. He is sur- Department of Education at the Inter- they do not have complete information. Please vived by his wife, Effie; one son, Dennis; two American University in San German, Puerto send in obituaries as soon as possible and include daughters, La Rea Thompson and La Nell Rico. He returned to the States to work in standard dates, denominational service records, Sullivan; one brother; one sister; seven administration and finance until his first and names of survivors.

might say, “If it wasn’t for the storm without, we couldn’t stand the smell Moving On within.” With all those animals cooped up like that, the ark must have smelled pretty bad, but it was better than being in the water. And even though other church members aren’t perfect, it is better to be together in the church than to be ROSY TETZ alone in the world. We say the church is God’s house. It is a special place where we go to ave you ever found the need to move on with their lives. meet God. It is the symbol of God’s shell of a bird’s egg? During the Flood, Noah and his presence. Maybe you were playing family and the animals were safe in Adam and Eve didn’t have a church in the yard and you saw the ark. When the land was dry because they got to meet with God a bit of blue in the again, God said to Noah, “You and face-to-face. And when we go to Hgrass. When you went to check it out, your wife, your sons and their wives heaven, we won’t have a church any- you found a piece of a robin’s egg. should go out of the boat. Bring every more either. When John saw a vision That’s a good sign that there’s a baby animal out of the boat with you” of heaven he wrote, “I did not see a bird in a nearby tree. (Genesis 8:16, ICB). temple in the city. The Lord God All- It also shows that birds don’t save And that’s what they did. They left Powerful and the Lamb are the city’s their old eggshells. When they come the ark behind. They didn’t stay near temple” (Revelation 21:22, ICB). out of their egg, they stay out of their the ark in case there was another We won’t need a church because egg. They get rid of the shell. They flood, because God promised them we will be in the presence of God move on with their lives. They open there wouldn’t be another flood. They and of Jesus. We will move on. We’ll their mouths for food. They learn to moved on. leave the shell behind. We will learn fly. They learn to sing. Some people say the church is like to fly and sing. Sometimes people need to come out the ark. When they get annoyed at of their shells too. Sometimes they other people in the church, they

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (125) 29 ON THE HOME FRONT The Good Life LESLIE KAY

conomy Remains Strong,” trumpeted the head- gray rooster, presided stiffly over the dispersal. Then back up lines, but as far as my husband and I could tell, to the garden we climbed, followed by our dogs, who hoped the patient was anemic and fast becoming we’d drop an egg or two along the way. comatose. As Asia slid deeper and deeper into And so our day passed, as we cleaned and played and recession, it inexorably dragged the scrap metal cooked and read, until evening found us watering our precious Emarket down with it. Every week our few flowers and we caught the familiar hearts sank with the sinking price of rumble of an aging Ford pickup. aluminum, copper, and brass. And “Daddy’s home!” the girls cheered, Don’s flatbed returned empty more and they raced to greet him as he and more often as suppliers chose to pulled up the drive. But when he hang on and wait for better days. emerged, his careworn face told the Then in July a breakthrough: the tale as plainly as the empty flatbed. 500 transmission cases Don had been “I never made it to Izzy’s,” he sighed trying all year to pry out of Izzy at wearily. “I spent all day trying to fix Gibraltar Transmissions had finally the truck.* I finally just hot-wired it come through. Five hundred cases and came home.” And then this meant 14,000 pounds of aluminum doleful news: “I won’t be able to get ingots. And although 16 cents a pound profit paled in com- with Izzy again for a month.” parison to 26 cents the month before, for now we would pay And so it settled upon us, that bleakness we had come to the bills and put food on the table. know so well. We fretted and fussed and barely heard The girls and I were in a celebratory mood as we waved Becky’s piping voice, “Come take my training wheels off, Don off to Vegas. “Daddy’s getting scrap—now we’ll have Dad. I think I can ride without them.” money!” Becky chirped to 4-year-old Jenny. Giddy with Reluctantly we broke off our commiserations. As I optimism, we fairly danced through the round of prosaic watered last year’s Christmas tree I watched my husband run details that make up our simple, satisfying days. alongside our daughter’s wobbly bike and give it a mighty After worship it was off to do chores while the tempera- shove; watched her face become radiant with the realization ture still hung comfortably in the nineties (it’s a dry heat, that she was free, gliding on two wheels, growing up. you know). First stop, the rabbit cage. I knew as I watched that somehow it would all work out. Any naive soul who has bought into the fantasy that rab- The bills would be paid. The truck would be fixed. The kids bits are cuddly, harmless little morsels of velveteen has never would be fed and clothed. And so it has been. Wobbly and RAPHICS made the acquaintance of Daisy. We fell for the cinnamon— often insecure, unused to being stripped of all that would G colored cutie at the feed store and carted her home on the prevent us from depending solely upon our Lord, we step assurance that “Holland Lops are the most docile of all the gingerly into our unaccustomed freedom. Trusting in Him, YNAMIC breeds.” I’d hate to know what the other breeds are capable of. growing up into Him, we’re learning to savor all the more © D

The first time we snuggled Daisy into our laps we found that this simple life, this good life, together. TION beneath her fleecy charms beat the savage heart of Amazon LLUSTRA Bunny. She grumbled and thrashed, gnashed her great teeth, * Thank you, Elder Hancock, for sticking with him through it all and I being the true friend you are. and slashed us with talon-sharp claws. As time mended our wounds, but not Daisy’s ways, we settled on a policy of appeasement: we would provide the carrots and greens, and Leslie Kay, her husband, Don, and their two chil- Daisy would get to hop around her yard and look cute. dren, Becky and Jenny, live on an abandoned min- That done, we tossed the yucky kitchen scraps into the ing claim near Chloride, Arizona. earthworm composter and the tasty scraps to the chickens. Fluffy, the cute little gray “hen” who grew up to be a big

30 (126) ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 REFLECTIONS Broken for You BY ELIZABETH A. JONES

emidarkness enclosed me as I gazed at the outline I realized that this was my only hope. No healing could be of my skeleton on the screen above me. Slowly mine unless He was broken by the penalty I deserved for the image filled with tiny dots of light, like ran- the sins I had willfully committed. domly blinking stars. I searched the screen for a clue ever before had Jesus’ sacrifice Sto my desperate quest. Had the cancer meant so much to me. Never spread to my bones? Would I die? Nbefore had I felt so clearly the Throughout the lengthy procedure I significance of the words “He died for groped through cold reality, searching me.” It is impossible to describe the for hope. Would God heal me? Could I mingled sorrow and joy that welled up possibly be one of the few who beat the within. Sorrow because of a deepened odds? Very unlikely. How could I even sense of the suffering my sins had dare to hope? Three of the most godly brought to Jesus. Joy because He had people I knew, remarkable pillars in the forgiven my iniquities and was combin- Lord’s work, had just succumbed. If ing that forgiveness with healing for God hadn’t healed them. . . . I seemed my disease. What if that healing should so much less worthy than they. not come until the resurrection? It did not matter; Jesus Scenes from my past filled me with deep sorrow. Why had spoken to me. His love was enough. had I been so careless? lived so foolishly? I had known bet- I fought to maintain my composure because of the techni- ter. Again and again I had confessed my sins to God. I knew cian attending me. But when I reached the car and began to He had forgiven me; He had given me victory years ago. But tell my husband of the wonderful Visitor who had spoken to I knew that God is not one with whom to trifle. What we my heart, my composure melted. He reparked the car and lis- sow, we reap. Always. tened as I poured out my story, broken with sobs I could not Usually? stop. All the pent-up tension and strains of that week of diag- Sometimes? nosis were released in tears, not of despair, but of joy and And there was the glimmer of hope. Didn’t Jesus heal praise. Jesus had heard my prayer! It seemed He had stopped some who had brought their tragedies on themselves? His activities in heaven to speak a word of healing, hope, and Would He consider releasing me from my own bitter har- forgiveness to one frightened, insignificant young woman. vest? Certainly not. I had no excuses, no reason to hope. In the five years that have passed since my surprisingly But maybe, just maybe. And so, clinging to that slender successful surgery I have sat many times in church fingering hope, I pleaded for my life with a deepening repentance and a little piece of unleavened bread. How precious, how rich, the desperate tenacity of the dying. how personal, are the words that ring through my conscious- Searching, pondering, praying, I agonized in silence ness: “This is My body, which is broken for you.” But now, when suddenly a new thought arose—steady, distinct, com- instead of dry words spoken long ago and far away—periodi- pelling: “This is My body, which is broken for you.” cally intoned to celebrate a church ritual—they have Broken body? Yes. Exactly. My body was broken, with lit- become living words. A poignant reminder to me of the rea- tle hope of repair. son I am alive today—because His body and heart were bro- Broken for you? But that was Jesus’ body. As I pondered ken for me. ■ those words, new thoughts sprang to my mind. Could this PRINGER possibly mean recovery? A sense of sacred awe and joy filled D. S Elizabeth Jones sent this from Clintonville, West me. But just as quickly another realization broke through. If OEL

J Virginia, with the hope that it would be a blessing to I recovered, it would be only because Jesus Himself was BY any with a critical disease and to all who partake in offering His broken body in my place. He would face the

HOTO the service of Communion. P grave from which I was shrinking. Conviction deepened as

ADVENTIST REVIEW, JANUARY 28, 1999 (127) 31