The Right-to-Die in Glendale . More Persecution of Soviet Adventists . Agenda for General Conference

. J

Journal of the Association of Adventist Forums Volume 16, Number 2

PII r;RIMAGES·· Hitchhiking for Yahvveh A Professor's Journey to the Church A Reformer's Vision Preacher-Politican in the Caribbean ! .

SPECTRUM' Editorial Board Consulting Editors Edward Lugenbeal Roy Branson Earl W; Amundson Anthropology Editor Ethics, Kennedy Institute President Kettering. Ohio Georgetown University Atlantic Union Conference Roy Branson Margaret McFarland Molleurus Couperus Eric Anderson Attorney Associate Editor Physician History Washington. p.C. Angwin, California Pacific Union College LaVonneNeff _Charles Scriven Gene Daffern Roy Benton Publishing Physician Chairman. Mathematics Department Downers Grove. Illinois Washington. D~C. Columbia Union College Senior Editor Ronald Numbers Tom Dybdahl Bonnie Dwyer Bonnie Casey History of Medicine Journalism- - WriterlEditor University of Wisconsin Loma Linda. California Washington. D.C. News Editor Gary Patterson Tom Dybdahl George Colvin President Bonnie Dwyer Editor Government Georgia-Cumberland Conference _ Claremont Graduate School ", Allentown •. Pe~nsylva~ia Edward.E. Robinson Manuseript Editor Richard Emmerson Raymond Cottrell Attorney _ '. Gene Daffern !,nglish! . Theology .. ChicagQ. Illinois Walla Walla College Loma Linda, California Gerhard Svrcek-Seiler Book 'Review Editors : Alvin L. Kwiram Geri Fuller Psychiatrist _ Chairman, Chemistry Department Public Relations Vienna. Austria Peggy Corbett University of Washington Washington. D.C. Carolyn Stevens Shultz Reiuiie Schoepflin Gary Land Lawrence Geraty English . - History - Old Testament Walla Walla College Andrews University SDA Theological Seminary Helen Ward Thompson Rennie SchoepfIin Fritz Guy Vice-President History Theology _ Loma Linda University LOma Linda Unversity Loma Linda University L.E. Trader Charles Scriven F.E.J•. Jhrcter Education ,_. Theology Educational Administration Marienhoehe Gymnasium Walla Walla College College Place. Washington West Germany Ottilie Stafford Jargen Henriksen Louis Venden English Artist Pastor Atlantic Union College Boston. Massachusetts Lorna Linda University Church Association of Adventist Forums

Officers Directors Regional Representatives Northern Pacific President Of Chapter Development Atlantic John Brunt Lyndrey A. Niles Walter Douglas John Hamer Chainnan, School of Theology Communications Church History Business Walla Walla College Howard University Andrews University Hudson. Massachusetts Southern Vice President Of International Relations Central T. Grace Emori Edward Lugenbeal Molleurus Couperus Darrell J. Huenergardt Center for Disease Control Health eare Administration PhysiCian Attorney Atlanta. Georgia Kettering. Ohio Angwin, California Kimball. Nebraska Southern Pacific Executive Secretary Of Membership Central Pacific Mike Scofield Claire Hosten Ronald D. Cople Norman D. Sossong Business Attorney Business Physician Anaheim. California Washington, D.C. Silver Spring. Maryland St. Helena. California Treasurer Of Promotion Columbia Staff Richard C. Osborn Richard B. Lewis. Jr. E. Theodore Agard Legal Consultant Principal Advertising Radiation Physicist Bradley Litchfield Takoma Academy Weston. Massachusetts Kettering. Ohio Attorney Washington, D.C. Editor Of Special Projects Lake Roy Branson- Glenn E. Coe Donald Gillespie Secretary Ethics. Kennedy Institute Attorney Health Care Administration Diane Gainer Georgetown University West Hartford. Connecticut Stevensville, Michigan Silver Spring. Maryland

SPECTRUM is a journal established to encourage Editorial Correspondence: SPECTRUM is published by Seventh-day Adventist participation in the. discussion of the Association of Adventist Forums. Direct all editorial contemporaiy issues from a Christian viewpoint, to look correspondence to SPECTRUM, 7710 Carroll Avenue, without prejudice at all sides of a subject, to evaluate the Takoma Park, Maryland 20912. ManUSCripts should be merits of diverse views, and to foster Christian intellectual typewritten, double spaced and in matters of style and and cultural growth. Although effort is made to ensure documentation, conform to A Manual of Style (University accurate scholarship and discriminating judgment, the of Chicago Press). Submit the original and two copies, statements of fact are the responsibility of contributors, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Responses and the views individual authors express are not necessarily from readers may be shortened before publication. - those of the editorial staff as a whole or as individuals. Subscription Information: In order to receive SPEC­ The Association of Adventist Forums is a' nonsubsidized, TRUM, send a membership fee ($20 per 5 issues, except nonprofit organization for which gifts are deductible in the $25 in Canada and in other foreign. countries; $2 less for report of income for purposes of taxation. The publishing students) to Association of Adventist Forums, Box 5330, of SPECTRUM depends on subSCriptions, gifts from Takoma Park, Maryland 20912. Phone: (301) 270-0423. Sin­ individuals and the voluntary efforts of the contributors gle copies may be purchased for $4. Pay by check made and the staff. out to the Association of Adventist Forums. For address changes, send old address label along with the new address. © 1983 All righ,ts reserved. Litho USA In This Issue Vol. 16, No.2, June 1985 Special Section: Pilgrimages Hitchhiking for Yahweh William Least Heat Moon 2 Journey to the Church: A Professor's Story Reo Christensen 9 Preacher-Politician in the Caribbean Dionne E. & Glen O. Phillips 14 A Reformer's Vision: The Church as a Fellowship of Equals Lorna Tobler 18 Introduction to General Conference Session Agenda for the General Conference Session Ronald Graybill 24 Welcome to Nu Awlins, Dawlin' Judy Rittenhouse 28 Articles Commission Postpones Discussion on Ordination of Women Debra Gainer Nelson 32 More Persecution of Soviet Adventists Oxana Antic 39 Glendale Right-to-Die Case Kent Hansen 42 Shifts in Adventist Creationism W.W. Hughes 47 Reviews Booknotes Steven Corbett 52 Comparing Adventist Schools to the Competition Maurice Hodgen 53 Letting the Pioneers Speak Peggy Corbett 55 News Update New College Presidents Deanna Davis 57 Lorna Linda University Ethics Center Bonnie Dwyer 59 Adventist Chaplains on Secular Campuses AI Keiser 60 Responses

be as important as profound ideas. About This Issue Ideas and information are not ignored in this issue. An essay on creationism, reports e call them pilgrims or on the agenda and setting of the General W heroes, or even saints. They Conference Session, an extended account of are ordinary people whose lives somehow the deliberations of the commission on the reflect a grace that illumines our existence. role of women in the church, and an analy­ Whether hitchhiker, university professor, sis of an important right-to-die case in the party politician, or denominational Glendale Adventist Medical Center all exam­ reformer, they call us not to imitation but ine central issues before the church. to our own form of spiritual excellence. But as the special section of this issue sug­ For the first time we have devoted a spe­ gests, Adventism does not live by issues cial section entirely to people, rather than alone. ideas or reports. But as the church seeks renewal of its identity, exemplary lives will -The Editors Special Section: Pilgrimages Hitchhiking for Yahvveh

by William Least Heat Moon

he thing that finally got my son to turn back and head the other way. T attention was his little alu­ There's little you can do to stop a soul minum suitcase. Except for the "spiritual c1aimsman; even aluminum-siding salesmen material" consisting of typed testimonials run out of words before these guys. He was in the satchel, everything he owned was in saying something about' 'God's strategy. " the aluminum case. But I didn't really see "I've got nothing against God's strategy, it until later. but let's not talk about it now." Early afternoon: overcast, cheerless. A few He looked out the side window. "We're miles north of Moscow I saw him hitching. coming into the forest," he said. "You start The crosswind pulled his gray beard at a to miss trees on the Palouse. And rocks­ right angle to his face so that he looked like you don't see rocks or fences much there." Curry's painting of John Brown standing He looked over the truck. "Do you smoke?" before the Kansas tornado. I stopped, and I said I didn't. "I don't like to ride with the small man quickly limped up the road smokers. The Spirit's moving in you, but with a hobble that reminded me of Porfirio never mind that. " He pulled out a palm-size Sanchez. Pushing the aluminum case ahead, notebook made of two pieces of linoleum. he climbed in, smiling, introducing himself. "Where did you pick me up?" His name was Arthur O. Bakke. The 0 stood "Near Potlatch, Idaho." for Olaf. He spelled the last name, asked He wrote that down, making sure of the mine and how to spell it. spelling, then scribbled my name and the Now the first question from a hitchhiker year and manufacturer of the van. When I never varies: "How far ya goin'?" After pulled in for gas, he checked his watch and making certain of spellings, Arthur O. said aloud as he wrote: " 'Fueling stop at Bakke's first question was, "Do you want Tensed, Idaho. Rain imminent.' Would you a free Bible course?" Oh, god, not this, I spell Tensed?" thought. "Jesus is coming," he said. Save I did. "How do you know about the rain?' , me, I thought and started working on a rea- "My hip. The affliction's good for that." "What happened?" "Car wreck. Rolled off a mountain in a Having lost both his teaching job and his wife, snowstorm. Jesus allowed me to almost get William Least Heat Moon packed his car and criss­ crossed America, following the secondary roads or killed to get me into His work." blue lines on his road map. One of the people he I wasn't up to asking what work he liked best on his trip is described in this chapter, referred to. taken from Blue Higbways: A Journey Into America, Tensed is on the Coeur d' Alene reserva­ Copyright © 1982. by William Least Heat Moon. Reprinted by permission of Little, Brown and Com­ tion. As a young Indian scrubbed the wind­ pany, in association with The Atlantic Monthly Press. shield, Bakke leaned out the window. Volume 16. Number 2 3

"Would you like a free Bible course?" The vation's just around the corner. brother." boy never stopped wiping. but he looked in The pumpman lighted a cigarette and at me. I shrugged. "Jesus is coming soon." looked helplessly at me to see if it was a joke. Bakke chirped. , 'I'm already done up with the Pres­ The Coeur d'Alene said. faltering, "No byterians," he said. retreating. watching us read white man word. ' , carefully as if Bakke had said. "Is the safe Bakke thought for a moment. The Indian just around the corner?" finished wiping, and I followed him inside I was getting interested in the way people to sign the credit slip. Filling out the form reacted to the offer of a free Bible course. in a precise hand. he said, "What's wrong Whatever the response. Bakke's directness with your buddy?" unnerved them. "He's okay. Just a friendly fellow." "The Lord will get you off that tobacco. " "That's what they say at the funny farm." The man kept stepping backwards. reach­ Bakke and I went up the road. He talked ing behind to feel where he was going. I happily about the fields. clouds. his travels. thanked him and drove away. "Don't think He was 58 years old and a Seventh-day he's ready yet. " I said. "Catch him next Adventist. Some years ago he lost in a time through." divorce most of what he owned and had Bakke took out his pad and noted the sta­ never bothered to gather more. After tion. "Good idea." I stopped again at a recuperating from the car wreck, he went on supermarket to get bread and fruit for the the road to serve Jesus. Several times he next day. He bought a can of beans and two said, always softly, "My! How we need bananas. As I fumbled my change. Bakke Jesus!" He had a bank account in southern said to the checker. "How's your faith California and one in Virginia; otherwise. all today?" his material goods were at his feet or That same uneasy smile. "Pretty good." wrapped around him. Then quietly. "I don't know." She rang up "Where are you going now?" I said. the sale, and I gave no helping shrugs. "To El Salvador." "Jesus is coming sooner than you realize. " I thought before I spoke. "Do you under­ "Maybe I'd better go home and clean stand we're a couple of hundred miles from house." she mumbled. the Canadian border and heading due The rain had eased when we got to the north?" church, but it was still a wretched night. and "Most certainly. I'm stopping off along I told him I would wait until he found a the way." place. Bakke was inside some time. When "You're stopping off in British Columbia he came out. the rain had stopped. on the way to E1 Salvador?" ''I've found a home for the night." he "No. no. I'm stopping off in Coeur said. "You're included too." d'Alene tonight on my way to Missoula, ''I'll stay in my rig. but maybe I could Montana. But I have to go to Virginia before wash up there." I leave the country." "We're supposed to follow a red pickup Bakke knew of an Adventist church in truck. He'll be out in a while. The service Coeur d' Alene and figured on finding a was slowed by an intoxicated man who's place for the night there. It began to rain­ seen his error. He's still on his knees waving sheets of water the wipers couldn't crying. " handle. He took out his notebook to record "They're not going to convert a drunk. are the weather change and our arrival time. "Is they?" Coeur d'Alene hyphenated?" I stopped at "No, no. This is just his first stop. Let's a gas station for directions to the church. have something to eat while we wait. " He and Bakke went into his routine again. "Sal- pulled his 12 by 15 inch case onto his lap 4 Spectrum

and opened it. "I have a cheese sandwich Bakke, at the request of our host, led a and an apple we can share, " he said. "And kneeling prayer during which I suffered the a com muffin. Students at Walla Walla Col­ embarrassment of losing my balance in the lege gave me the food." deep-pile shag carpet and having to lunge "I've got something here too." for the coffee table. Bakke asked for strength Bakke said grace over the cheese sand­ for us all, and I hoped he wasn't referring wich, then ate quickly, paying attention to to my tumble. his meal. "Good cheese," he said. "Praise "I sure ate that breakfast," Bakke said. Yahweh. " Then he went at the apple, hold­ "Praise Yahweh." ing it in both hands, turning it, eating from In some Christians of strong conviction end to end the way people eat corn on the there is a longing never to be hungry, to cob. He looked up once and smiled. "This have no appetites; but he was one who is a sweet apple. I got a lift from a man and enjoyed filling the hunger. he gave it to me. I meet some beautiful peo­ The morning sun cast bars of light across ple, praise the Lord." the road. Bakke had offered to ride with me - Bakke's host tapped on the window, and into western Montana as he worked his way we followed him to a house so new there toward Missoula. wasn't yet a lawn. His wife had recently "I just finished a national tour-something died, and I think he was lonely, although he like the one you're on," he said. "the seemed a little uneasy about two wayfarers Master impressed me to undertake the mis­ coming into his living room. It was a small, sion while the rate by Greyhound was still orderly home without a single book visible 55 dollars cross country, unlimited stops." except a phone directory, Bible, and one I felt up to it that morning, so I asked called Philosophical Thoughts, which I picked about his work. up. A clay bank. "Jesus hitchhikes in me. That's the work. Luke 14:23." · · I just finished a national tour­ "I don't know the Bible by numbers." something like the one you're on," he From his breast pocket he drew a small said · 'The Master impressed me to under­ limp book marked over in ballpoint: red, take the mission while the rate by Grey­ green, and blue. Red markings pertained hound was still 55 dollars cross country, directly to deity, green to man, while the unlimited stops." blue tended toward the "Satanic area." Bakke held his Bible softly, as if it were alive, and never did he thrust it threateningly. The men talked and reached agreement on several points: He read: " 'And the Lord said unto the (a) Constantine set us all back in A.D. 321 servant, "Go out into the highways and by passing a law forcing people to observe hedges, and compel them to come in, that the first day of the week instead of the true my house may be filled." , Probably ten Sabbath-the seventh day, Saturday. thousand people have been enrolled by (b) Nations are cursed because they won't Christ through me in the Voice of Prophecy tithe ten cents on the dollar, but they can't Bible course." get away with it much longer. "Enrolled by Christ? Am I talking with (c) Television is a serpent both men were Jesus?" guilty of peeking at. Movie houses are "You're trying to make me look foolish. palaces of make-believe, but they weren't That's an easy thing to do. Paul says, 'We gUilty here. are fools for Christ's sake. ' My words are my (d) God is a He, not a She (Genesis own. I don't credit myself so much. If we 1:26,27). only knew the mind of God, oh, my!" Volume 16, Number 2 5

"Tell me how you came to believe. Is it of the LORD for help, to spare my life so too personal?" I can do the work I'm doing now: Mission­ "I was a jack-of-all-trades at Boeing Air­ ary Work. After rolling over and over down craft in Seattle, Wash. That was before Jesus the hillside approximately 200 feet, an old claimed me, so what happened isn't impor­ snag about two feet thru stopped the car (I tant now. But my wife left me. I missed her had no seat belt on-maybe if I had had one so very much for three years. " He seemed on, I'd have snapped my neck?) and spun to lose himself recollecting. After a few it around right side up on an angle, nose moments he said, "I wonder how I escaped down. I felt my hip give. Then I noticed the so long. I guess God looked ahead and saw windshield was missing (no doubt the juicer my service, like with PauL" went through it). Then I squirmed out of the Bakke opened his briefcase and took out one of his personal testimonies-a legal-size, "My fiancee lives in EI Salvador. I'm marginless sheet dense with typed words­ going there to get married. Her love freed titled, "A Fateful Night-December 9th, me from a ten-year obsession with a 1966. True Story by Arthur Olaf Bakke, gospel singer. She's 60 and can't speak. RP. " English and I don't speak. Spanish ... but "You could keep this and read it, " he said maybe we could witness along the Mexi­ with diffidence. I 'I'm the first to admit I can border." don't know the mechanics of English. Don't know how to paragraph." , 'Why don't you read it aloud as we ride? wreckage and crawled onto the hood. I Start with what RP. stand for." looked up and saw a flashlight up on the "Royal Priest. First Peter 2:9." He wrote road and cried out for help. The man said the citation on his testimony and turned to to hold on an hour or so and he'd get help. the passage and read: " 'Ye are a chosen I was so happy to be alive. I put my fingers generation, a royal priesthood' and so on in my mouth to keep them from freezing off. 'that should show forth the praises of Him Later they came down the hill with a rope who hath called you out of darkness into his and stretcher and tied me on. They offered marvelous light.' But I've dropped the RP. me a cigaret, but I told them a Christian now and just use I.M.V. for International doesn't smoke. " An ungodly man diggeth Missionary Volunteer. ' , up evil; and in his lips there is a burning Bakke's voice, an unsubstantial contralto, fire." Proverbs 16:27. rose as he read his testimony. The nub was this: He had been living alone near Bakke began walking again six months Wenatchee, Wash., where he made a little later with three steel screws holding his money selling windfall apples. One morn­ pelvis together. ing he loaded his Plymouth with so many "I kept my word. I serve the Lord full boxes of windfalls that there was room only time. I started witnessing in the hospital. for him and a blender he used to make apple Then in California I witnessed to the hippies and carrot juice. He had become a vegetar­ at Berkeley." ian. To make his deliveries he drove west on , 'How do you support yourself?" U.S. 2 toward Everett. It was snowing in the "1 get a Social Security disability check Cascades. On the west slope of Stevens Pass, every month for two hundred eighteen dol­ he overtook a pickup and lost control on the lars and seventy cents. And people like you slippery downgrade. Here is his account: contribute along the way." "Does the Adventist Church help out?" I slid into the snowbank and crashed thru. , 'They send the free Bible courses." At that split second, I called upon the name " And you keep moving all the time?" 6 Spectrum

"Sometimes I stop in a place awhile. In a ten-year obsession with a gospel singer. Virginia, outside Bowling Green, I built a She's 60 and can't speak English and I don't tree temple on 1-95. Stayed there about six speak Spanish so we have to get our letters months." translated. But I think maybe we could wit­ "What's a tree temple?" ness along the Mexican border." "Like a tree house in a pine grove. I built He took out an envelope addressed to her. it out of scrap lumber to about the size of Inside was a letter and a paper placemat with your van. It was for hitchhikers-to give a map of Idaho on it furnished by the state them shelter and the love of Jesus. This beef association. He marked our route for country's tough on hitchers, not like her and drew heavy X's through the word Canada. I wanted to open tree temples all BEEF and the color pictures of rump roast over the country, but the Baptists got sore and prime rib." because I was teaching a different doctrine. "What's going on there?" They said the temple would attract tramps, "Just reminding Carmen we shouldn't eat and they got the state to come out and run things that hurt us: beef, pork, clams, oys­ me off and tear it down. That's another ters, prawns. Paul says, 'Meat commendeth instance in American history of showing us not to God.'" spite for the underdog. But it proves there I said, " 'Whatsoever is sold in the sham­ are a lot of ways to beat the rat race." bles, that eat, asking no questions for con­ "You should write a" book about it. ' , science' sake.' That's Paul too. ''I'd never write about that. This world Somewhere." isn't worth it. Stories are fine, but salvation , 'You know Scripture?" is everything. I'll tell you, though, I might "Here and there. I know that one from write a book about salvation. I'd call it Hitch­ arguing with a friend who became a vegetar­ ing for Yahweh." ian for a time." "Well, then," Bakke said and buried me Hegel believed that freedom is knowledge in quotation. I had fired my single salvo but of one's necessity, and Arthur O. Bakke, hadn't sunk him. I.M.V., was a free man hindered by only "When the Bible has so many interpreta­ his love and conviction. And that was just tions, how do you know your view is right?' , as he wanted it. "I don't interpret. I read the Word as it is and trust the Lord to make me under­ stand. And another thing: understanding In a mountain valley full of greenness and depends on how well you know the whole blue water, we stopped to stretch. A histor­ Bible and how the parts fit in." ical marker explained the geology of the "You seem to know all the Bible well." basin. "I know the New Testament better than Bakke said, "That sign has a mistake. It the Old. I read four Old Testament chap­ says this valley was formed a million years ters and four New Testament chapters six ago, but the earth is only six thousand years days a week, so I get through the whole Bible old." about twice a year. But the New Testamant At Bonner's Ferry, where U.S. 2 ran a is less than a third as long so I get through long, deep break in the Bitterroot Moun­ it more often. " Bakke turned toward me. "I tains, we turned toward Montana. I asked saw you reading this morning. Was it the why he was going to EI Salvador. Bible?" "My fiancee lives in San Salvador. I'm "The journals of Lewis and Clark. Lewis going there to get married and bring Car­ was recounting his 31st birthday, which he men back if I can raise the money. She's a spent not far from here. He surveyed his life wonderful woman. Her love freed me from and found he'd done very little with it. He Volume 16, Number 2 7 vowed right then to live for others the way things. away from ourselves. come away he had been living for himself." from it all toward God. Buying things is an , 'Some worldly books have the spirit mov­ escape. It's shOwing what you aren't. It's ing in them. " loving yourself. ' , We rode silently for several miles. and I was still looking at the suitcase. "You've Bakke dozed off. A bird swooped the high­ got necessities in one box. your work in a way and slammed into the hood. The clunk briefcase. a creed in your shirt pocket. I woke him. "What was that?" admire the compression of it. I wish I could "I hit a bird." reduce it all to a couple of boxes. I like your "Why are you stopping?" self-sufficiency.' , "Want to see what kind of bird it is. Or "Don't give me so much credit. Paul was." preached how pride separates us from He got out too. I picked it up. a warm God." He opened his small Bible and read: crumpled fluff limp in my hand. its talons " 'Walk not as other Gentiles walk. in the clenched into tiny fists. "A sparrow hawk." vanity of their mind. having the understand­ I said. ing darkened. being alienated from the life "Throw it away." of God through the ignorance that is in " 'There is no object so soft but what it them. because of the blindness in their makes a hub for the wheeled universe. ' The heart.' Ephesians 4:17." poet. Walt Whitman. said that." "Maybe so. but for basic necessity. you come close to material self-sufficiency." Bakke sat quietly. ''The college students you Despite doctrinal differences, he talk to. they must admire your on-the-road reminded me of a Trappist monk or a work. your freedom." Hopi shaman. I liked Arthur. I liked him "I don't think many would trade places very much. with me. Would you?" It was a terrible question. Bakke smiled. We drove on along the "I don't have your belief or purpose. But Kootenai River, and he pointed out places I wish I knew what you know." that would be certain death if you slid off " 'Knowledge puffeth up. but charity the pavement. edifieth. If any man think that he knoweth "I want to ask you something personal, " any thing. he knoweth nothing yet as he I said. "Everything you own-other than ought to know.' First Corinthians 8: 1 and your testimonies and typing paper-is in that 2. Knowledge of the Lord is the knowledge aluminum suitcase?" He nodded. "Would worth knowing. " you show me what's in there? I'm interested "Walt Whitman says. 'Be not curious in how you've reduced your goods to that about God. for I who am curious about each box." day am not curious about God.'" "Never call them 'goods.'" He opened the Bakke smiled again. "Now you're going little case and held up the contents one by to say mortal life is a troublous shadow. one: two shirts. a pair of pants. underwear, aren't you? 'For what is your life? It is even toothbrush and paste. bar of soap. flash­ a vapor. that appeaseth for a little time. and light. candle. toilet paper. a corn muffin. then vanisheth away.' James 4:14." and a bag of Jolly Time popcorn. "I try to "I like little appeasing vapors." 'live of the gospel.' as Paul says. " " 'Let no man deceive himself. For the "I envy your Simplicity. " wisdom of this world is foolishness with "Paul says. 'Set your affection on things God.' First Corinthians 3:18, 19." above. not on things on the earth.' Colos­ " 'Why should I wish to see God better sians 3:2. The idea is to come away from than this day?' Whitman. 'Song of Myself.' 8 Spectrum

Here's another one from a Sioux medicine Arthur O. Bakke, I.M.V., was a free man man called Black Elk: 'Whatever you have hindered only by his love and conviction. seen, maybe it is for the good of the people And that was just as he wanted it. I don't you have seen it. '" know whether he had been chosen to beat "Errors. To know God, to know the City the highways and hedges, but clearly be had of God-that's the only true life." chosen to. Despite doctrinal differences, he "Maybe this is the City of God." reminded me of a Trappist monk or a Hopi "How could it be? The City of God has shaman. I liked Arthur. I liked him very streets paved with transparent gold." much. , 'Sounds pretty worldly. That's the stan­ Near Kalispell he woke up. I said, ''I'll let dard account in Revelation, isn't it?" you off at the junction of 93 so you can hitch "Yes. Revelation." toward Missoula." We rode on in silence to Kalispell, and "I could ride on with you. I know a friend Bakke dozed off again. I looked at him. He in North Dakota." seemed one of those men who wander all "I've got to go alone, Arthur. For now, their lives. In him was something restless 1 have to go by myself. There'll be times and unsatisfied and ancient. He understood when I'll wish for your company." that the Bible, in spite of its light, isn't a par­ He hobbled out and came around to my ticularly cheerful book, but rather one with window as gusts again pulled his beard shar­ much darkness, and he recognized that is ply. We shook hands, and he said, "Carry where its power comes from. God's blessing, brother." Yet the word he carried to me wasn't of "You'll be all right in this wind?" the City of God; it was of simplicity, spare­ " 'For I have learned, in whatever state ness, courage, directness, trust, and" char­ 1 am, therewith to be content.' PhillippiaI).s ity" in Paul's sense. He lived clean: mind, 4:11. Hardships are good. They prepare a body, way of life. Hegel believed that free­ man." dom is knowledge of one's necessity, and "I believe you." Journey to the Church: A Professor's Story

by Reo Christensen

his is the odyssey of one who judgment, Ellen White's early views on the T long maintained an adversar­ , 'Shut Door, " and on the falling of the stars ial relationship with the Seventh-day Adven­ and darkening of the sun as prophetic ful­ tist Church, but who finally made his peace fillments. In addition, my parents found no with it. Perhaps the account will help others biblical support for vegetarianism. Instead who are having deep misgivings about the of a new prophet arising in the last days, church-perhaps the behavior of its leaders they cited Hebrews 1: 1, 2, "God, who at or even some of its doctrines-and are won­ sundry times and in diverse manners spake dering where to go from here. in time past unto the fathers by the I was raised in a 7th Day Church of God prophets, hath in these last days spoken home in which prayer, Bible reading, and unto us by his Son." They scoffed at the Bible discussion were an important part of notion that there would be a worldwide Sun­ our daily lives. It was also a home that was day law (China? India?) and that our neigh­ hostile to the Seventh-day Adventist bors would someday massacre us if we Church, a hostility derived not from resent­ continued to respect the Sabbath. Our fam­ ing the restrictions imposed by the church ily also stressed their belief that Christ was on its members, but from disagreeing with crucified on Wednesday and arose before the practice of treating Ellen G. White's Sunday morning. writings as infallible and the church's refusal In general, Adventists were ridiculed to countenance any dissent on the issue. rather than viewed with respect. I recall no This approach to Ellen White had first led effort, when I was growing up, to balance my father, then my mother, to leave the the scales by acknowledging positive aspects church and join the 7th Day Church of God. of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or any At a rather early age, I saw examples of willingness to concede that reasonable peo­ Ellen White's writings compared page by ple might intelligently differ on various page with writings of historians of her day. points of scriptural interpretation. Although The similarity of factual narrative and a Seventh-day Adventist church was only phraseology were striking and, to me, con­ three miles away, and no Church of God vincing evidence of plagiarism. My mother services were held within 70 miles or so, we and father disagreed about the investigative never attended the Adventist church. We had Sabbath services in our own home instead. Reo Christensen teaches political science at Miami In 1940, I left home and went to Los University, Oxford, Ohio. He is the author of a pop­ Angeles in search of work. Since an aunt and ular political science textbook, and his byline has appeared in the Christian Century and The New York uncle lived in Glendale, I spent Sabbaths Times. with them and started attending their 10 Spectrum

Seventh-day Adventist church, .largely statement or position of hers was ever because I wanted to meet Sabbath-keeping disputed. girls. After I was inducted into the army and assigned to Fort Rosecrans in San Diego, I or decade after decade of sub­ often visited another aunt and uncle, also F sequent church attendance, I Adventists, while on weekend pass. Two of heard not one critical word expressed about their daughters were taking nurses' training, her writings. It was automatically assumed and through them I met one of their charm­ that a quote from her settled any con­ ing classmates, with whom I promptly fell troversy, unless someone cited another in love. quote that put the question in a different I had no intention of joining the church, perspective. but found church services to be less distaste­ There was, moreover, a growing tendency ful than I had expected. My would-be bride, to canonize Ellen White's life as well as her a convert to Seventh-day Adventism, teachings. She was always presented as apar­ agonized over marrying a non-Adventist agon of virtue and righteousness. Not even but, hopeful that I might come to see things Catholics, I often thought, held the pope in differently, finally agreed to be my wife. as much reverence as Seventh-day Adven­ Early in our marriage two children were tists held Ellen White. This exasperated me. born. There was also an unspoken but unmistak­ able understanding that Sabbath school hile I was obtaining an existed for the sole purpose of confirming, W undergraduate degree in but never of re-examining, the correctness political science at the University of Red­ of·church teachings. To question the factual lands, we attended the Loma Linda church. or scriptural validity of any church doctrine By now I had made a number of Seventh­ whatever was to exhibit a spirit of conten­ day Adventist friends who did not cor­ tiousness, of intellectual pride, and of stub­ respond to the' negative stereotype I had bornness in the face of inspired revelation. acquired at home. They helped reduce some Such a spirit could only foster doubt, divi­ of the antagonism I initially entertained sion, and dissension-from which no good toward the church. could hope to come. . Later, attendance at other Seventh-day Perhaps it would be more accurate to say Adventist churches throughout the United that a limited amount of questioning was States confirmed my favorable impression permissible-but only so long as the church's of Seventh-day Adventists as people-but answers were then accepted. To persist in church attendance was becoming increas­ doubt was to cast a chill over the class, to ingly uncomfortable for me. label oneself as a troublemaker, a heretic, I have always had an independent turn of and to feel like a rather unwelcome .. out­ mind, and I think it fair to say, a deep com­ sider. " The atmosphere was such that I con­ mitment to intellectual integrity. Many cealed my doubts lest I embarrass my wife aspects of church services disturbed me pro­ and generate an unpleasant climate. Con­ foundly, and did so more as time went on. fronted with endless sermons, Sabbath The belief that everything Ellen White had school lessons, and class discussions that published, over roughly 50 years of prolific treated Ellen White and her words with work, was divinely inspired struck me as the unfailing reverence, I held my tongue for most extraordinary claim in the history of more than 20 years, a feat that sometimes Christendom. Although neither Ellen White strikes me as rather heroic. nor the church claimed absolute infallibil­ After years of attending one church which, ity, the church's attitude toward her works for me, offered especially unappealing serv­ was tantamount to infallibility because no ices, I stopped going to church altogether. Volume 16, Number 2 11

For most of my churchgoing years, services thought, despite what her instincts told her. had left me more irritated than spiritually Our daughter was most reluctant to attend strengthened. I usually felt a sense of vast Earlham, a nearby liberal Quaker school, relief when church was over. but to please her father she agreed to try it. The unedifying results of church atten­ The outcome was not at all what I dance were, in part, my own fault. Had I expected or wanted. Before many months brought a different attitude into the church, had elapsed, our daughter underwent an I could have found much to learn and much· almost revolutionary intellectual and theo­ that could have been spiritually nourishing. logical experience, one that left both my wife But I was so obsessed with my doctrinal dis­ and me shaken to our roots. I will not go agreements that I was unable to receive the into detail, but the experience was the most spiritual help that I might have. traumatic of our lives. If you treasure both Meanwhile, I was firmly resolved that my traditional Christian beliefs and the Sabbath children should not be exposed only to as much as both my wife and I did, you will Seventh-day Adventist academies and col­ understand the shock of their abandonment leges. I wanted them to see how non­ by your firstborn. Seventh-day Adventists lived and what professors and students not restricted to a his shattering experience dras­ rigid and narrowly conceived version of T tically altered my outlook on truth had to say. Given this broader exper­ many things. I had lost my supreme confi­ ience, they could make some real choices dence in the trustworthiness of my intellect, rather than follow a predetermined groove the assurance that if I could win a debate leading to predetermined ends. Then, I said, I was therefore right. Overwhelmed with a if they still chose to be Seventh-day Adven­ remorse I never expect to have eradicated tists, I was willing to accept their decisions. in this life (even though I believe God has My wife was deeply distressed by all of this forgiven me), I now wish with all my heart and profoundly apprehensive about the out­ that I had said to my daughter: ' 'You come. She felt that our 18-year-old daugh­ needn't believe everything the church ter was too young to be plunged into a teaches in order to remain a member and secular college environment and too vulner­ to profit from that membership. Prove all able to the ravages of that intellectual and things; hold fast to that which is good, and cooperate with all that is constructive in the church because, whatever its faults, it does Shortly thereafter, several developments hold to the commandments of God and the furthered my metamorphosis. I was faith of Jesus." introduced to Spectrum. The writers for Spectrum were obviously loyal to the After facing my own errors in dealing with church, and eager to refresh and my daughter, I was able to attend church strengthen it through open, honest, and for the first time in many long years attuned not to its flaws (as I saw them), but recep­ searching inquiry rather than trying to erode its foundations. tive to its positive elements. My disagree­ ments with many church doctrines remained, but I saw that those doctrines were a source social milieu. But I could always marshal a of inspiration, strength, and consolation to formidable array of arguments as to why a many others. I could concede that confi­ different intellectual and social environment dence in Ellen G. White' s works had given was all for the best, and why our children unity, direction, and effectiveness to the deserved the right to freely choose. My wife church and its programs. Always a moral was far from persuaded, but finally yielded. conservative, I found satisfaction in the Perhaps she should try to be "fair," she church' s continued stand against the moral 12 Spectrum flabbiness that was engulfing the media and hen, a second phenomenon infiltrating modern churches. I was pleased T occurred. Friends from Lorna that, at a time when many mainline Linda were enthusiastic about the Sabbath churches were doubting traditional and cen­ school classes of Jack Provonsha. They sent tral Christian doctrines, the Adventist my wife and me tapes of his classes. I found Church was unyielding. it downright exhilarating to hear so able a Shortly thereafter, several developments thinker and·so articulate a speaker expound furthered my metamorphosis. I was upon major theological questions, including introduced to Spectrum. Before my many not customarily dealt with in the incredulous eyes, thoughtful, knowledge­ church-and yet remain faithful to the able scholars were writing articles that re­ general outlines of church teachings. examined, with a critical but respectful eye, many church doctrines I had long ques­ None of these developments was conceiv­ tioned. Could this really be happening in the able (at least to me) 20 or 30 years ago. inflexible and theologically stagnant church They have converted a church with a I had always known? closed, collective mind into one which in I was particularly impressed by the fact many respects is prepared to engage in a that almost all of the writers for Spectrum period of theological growth and renewed were obviously loyal to the church and eager vitality. to refresh and strengthen it through open, honest and searching inquiry rather than trying to erode its foundations. They were Provonsha was broadening, enriching and following what Ellen White once counseled: modifying, but not repudiating, church doc­ , 'There is no excuse for anyone in taking the trines that I had previously heard presented position that . . . all our expositions of Scrip­ in a rather cliche-ridden, mechanical ture are without an error. The fact that cer­ fashion. People like Provonsha and the tain doctrines have been held as truth for writers in Spectrum were trying to extend many years by our people is not a proof that church horizons, offer new perspectives, our ideas are infallible. No true doctrine will challenge dubious interpretations-and still lose anything by close investigation" (Coun­ they were loyal to the church! sels to Writers and Editors, p. 35), As one who has long believed that every From the beginning, the leadership must institution needs thoughtful critics who call have been mightily tempted to regard Spec­ into question aspects of doctrine or behavior trum as a subtly subversive work of the devil, that may not be able to survive close exami­ and to formally denounce it as such. But the nation, I was both astonished and gratified church leaders, although wary and suspi­ by what was taking place. cious, exercised admirable restraint despite Attendance at the Kettering Seventh-day the appearance of articles that must have Adventist Church has also been encourag­ caused them great pain. Only after a recent ing. A number of Sabbath school classes article compared the leadership selection proved stimulating and relatively open to process to that in communist countries-a fresh ideas and unorthodox interpretations. dubious provocation that brought an almost The presence of an exceptional pastor and inevitable response-did Neal Wilson pub­ assistant pastor, Edward Motschiedler and licly disassociate himself from Spectrum. Peter Bath, whose sermons and general atti­ Even then, he did not make an unqualified tudes personify devotion to the church along condemnation of the journal, conceding the with an inquiring spirit and a breadth of value of many of its articles even as he seri­ vision, was also helpful. ously questioned the direction he saw Spectrum Other developments struck me favorably. taking. I was discovering less of an unhealthy Volume 16, Number 2 13 enmity toward Roman Catholics among • Has sponsored an active missionary, church members, less stress on a dogmatic medical missionary and astonishing educa­ interpretation of investigative judgment, less tional work around the world; emphasis on the absolute correctness of • Promotes the Adventist Development heretofore unchallenged interpretations of and Relief Agency to give assistance to last-day prophetic signs, no mention of needy people around the world. With "dark counties," a greater willingness to increasing numbers of Seventh-day Adven­ read religious books by non-Seventh-day tists living in relative affluence, the presence Adventist authors and to recognize that we of a well-directed organization designed to can learn from other Christians as well as encourage members to fill their undoubted enlighten them, and less reluctance to join obligation to the unfortunate around the with other Christians in joint community world is especially heartening; endeavors. • Counsels its members not to bear arms For many, these will be seen as ominous (although I believe the church has failed to signs; for me, they bespeak a church that is take anything like full advantage of Jesus' readying itself for larger service than some beautiful message that we should love our of its previously constricting characteristics enemies rather than kill them); made possible. (I assume that these develop­ • Is currently striving to allow more free­ ments may be hardly visible in many smaller dom for diverse viewpoints while resisting churches and among many older members, centrifugal tendencies that could have rend­ but institutional renaissance usually follows ing consequences. this pattern.) I should add that the church leadership is one of these developments faced with the cruelest kind of pressures and N was conceivable (at least to the most agonizing kind of decisions in me) 20 or 30 years ago. They have converted walking a tightrope between repression and a church with a closed collective mind into theological license. FollOwing a prudent and one which, in many respects, is prepared to judicious course when the church is passing engage in a period of theological growth and through such a perilous transition is surely renewed vitality that augurs well for the one of the most difficult assignments that future. organizational leaders can ever face. They I am glad to associate with a church that: deserve sympathy and understanding from • Holds firmly to the Sabbath, since that all of us in their efforts to mediate between doctrine is solidly scriptural and has many the totally rigid ultraconservative elements unique values for modern man; in the church, and those who are also com­ • Remains faithful to central Christian mitted to the church but believe that doctrines of the virgin birth, the divinity of spiritual growth and enlightenment have not Christ, his literal resurrection and his literal and must not come to an end. return to Earth again, baptism by immer­ The current combination of greater open­ sion, and a day of final judgment; ness to new perspectives along with a firm • Has steadfastly held to conservative attachment to central verities is not without moral attitudes about drinking, smoking, grave hazards, but none so great as a church marital fidelity, premarital sex, and the use that looks only to the past for insight into of drugs for hedonistic purposes; its future course. Preacher-Politician In the Caribbean

by Dion E. Phillips and Glenn O. Phillips

uring the early and mid- Church. He continues to spearhead other D 1960s, a number of British religious activities as his political responsi­ colonies in the Caribbean obtained their bilities expand. political independence. These Caribbean Phillips: How and when did you become Commonwealth states included Jamaica, an Adventist? Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Johnson: I first came in contact with the Guyana. Within a brief period, a small num­ church in 1948 when I moved into the home ber of practicing Adventists emerged as poli­ of my aunt in the northern part of Barbados. ticians within most of these Caribbean Phillips: We know you lived in the governments. One such person is Victor United States for a number of years and Johnson of Barbados. became very aware of the struggle of minori­ Victor Johnson is currently minister of ties and immigrants. As a West Indian, how transportation and works. He has also would you characterize your experience and served as minister of labor in the ruling that of other immigrants? government's cabinet and for one two-year Johnson: My American sojourn was pri­ term was chairperson of his political party, marilyin the Brooklyn, New York, area. In a position usually held by the country's the institutions of higher learning I attended, prime minister. In his career, he has I was exposed to a number of radical sociol­ defeated at the polls well-known opponents ogists who so influenced me that I began to including Frank Walcott, head of the larg­ identify with the issues and demands made est union organization in the country, the on American society at that time. Living in Barbados Workers Union; and Wes Hall, a the midst of the American black ghetto dur­ very popular Caribbean sports hero. Con­ ing the civil-rights period, I identified current with his profession as a politician, intensely with the goals and methods of he serves as the first elder of the Gardens Martin Luther King and the movement. Seventh-day Adventist Church, and in Since I was a student of sociology, the November, 1982, Johnson led a six-week movement had a greater impact on my life evangelistic campaign that resulted in 24 than if I had been studying in some other people joining the Seventh-day Adventist field. I still believe in the basic rights of all men and in the fundamentals of liberty, but Dion E. Phillips is a sociologist at the College of the now, having grown more conservative, I use Virgin Islands. Glenn O. Phillips is a historian at Mor­ a different approach to produce the same gan State University in Maryland. The brothers results I sought in those days. graduated from Caribbean Union College and received their doctorates from Howard University. Phillips: What about the relationship They returned together to Barbados to conduct this between West Indians and black Americans? interview. Johnson: I kept close to the West Indian Volume 16, Number 2 15

community and had little contact with the country are aware that I am a Seventh­ North Americans except at work. Based on day Adventist. my peripheral contact, I observed that West Phillips: Do you allow Adventist teach­ Indians and Black Americans are suspicious ings to influence the kind of legislation you of each other. Here are two ethnic groups support or the way you vote in parliament? who, although both are black, are from dif­ Johnson: I do not base my political con­ ferent subcultures. North American blacks siderations purely on my religious beliefs, who were displaced by West Indians were but my religious commitment greatly influ­ most likely to feel threatened. On the other ences my perspective on political matters. hand, West Indians coming to the United I was the chairperson of my political party States suddenly felt the pressure of being for two years. During those years, I was black in a white society, an experience which covered extensively by the mass media, par­ they did not have in the same measure in ticularly at party conventions. I would the West Indies. always emphasize the need for political Phillips: Do you think the issue of race leadership to rely on God. This is not a view in our church is dealt with adequately? that is exactly popular within the party Johnson: No, we need to take a more because there are those who believe that critical look at the role of race in the church. God has nothing to do with politics. We must integrate our conferences a great deal more than we do now. The church I joined the Labor· Party because of my appears to go out of its way to keep black deep commitment to liberating the black and white Adventists segregated. I don't community. I wanted to be identified think that is necessary today. with the party that had the greatest com­ Phillips: What influenced you to become mitment to the liberation of the black involved in party politics? masses. Johnson: As a youngster, I was attracted to political discussions and made it a point of duty to attend political meetings wherever Phillips: In Adventist circles, there is a they were. I enjoyed the exchange of ideas. dichotomy concerning what ought to be the appropriate level of political participation for It was an excursion for me. the layperson. How do you justify your Phillips: There are two established polit­ involvement in politics? ical parties in Barbados. What prompted you Johnson: I bought the index of Ellen to join the Barbados Labor Party? White's writings to make sure that I could Johnson: I joined the Labor Party read every statement that she had written because of my deep commitment to liberat­ with respect to politics. Also, I spoke with ing the black community. I recognized that a number of Seventh-day Adventist Church it was the Barbados Labor Party under Sir leaders and authorities to find out what I Grantley Adams that had made the greatest consider to be the official church position: impact on social change in Barbados. I Seventh-day Adventists can participate in wanted to be identified with the party that politics according to the church and still had the greatest commitment to the libera­ hold membership in good and regular stand­ tion of the black masses. ing. I am not saying that every single Adven­ Phillips: You have been described as a tist should jump into politics. However, I Bible-reading, Bible-carrying public figure. believe that those who rely on God have the Is this the type of image that you intention­ resources that allow them to be successful ally carved out for yourself? politicians. Johnson: All my colleagues in govern­ Phillips: There are other Adventists in ment, my constituents and the media across the Caribbean who are active in politics. 16 Spectrum

Have you ever had any contact with them? before the House of Assembly. It was not Have you had discussions concerning the within my portfolio, but as minister of labor practice of your faith or things you might and member of the cabinet, I was sur­ share in common? rounded by colleagues who were involved, Johnson: There are other Adventist poli­ and I indicated to them that I had difficulty ticians in the Caribbean, but I encounter with the bill. them very rarely. I did meet Dr. Philip Phillips: What do you do when your roles Carey, an Adventist who is the director of as Adventist and politician conflict, for National Insurance in the Bahamas. Of instance, when your presence is needed in course, technically he is a high-ranking civil parliament on Friday nights? servant and not a politician. One Adventist Johnson: It is never necessary. My polit­ politician who comes to mind is .Dr. ical associates on the cabinet, including the Gallimore, minister of state in the Jamaican prime minister, are aware of my religious government. Interestingly enough, during practices regarding the keeping of the my visit to New Zealand in 1979 on govern­ Sabbath. When meetings of the parliament ment business, I came across a good many on Friday are likely to extend beyond sun­ Adventist politicians from New Guinea, set, the day's agenda is often carefully ana­ Samoa, and places like that who were lyzed because my colleagues know that I will attending the conference. be leaving early. If I lose sense of the time on Friday afternoon, members of the House point to the clock or otherwise motion to I share the view that we should not par­ me, indicating that it is time for me to ticipate in trade unionism. But as the depart. minister responsible for labor I had a duty With regard to my attendance at political to ensure that people who elect to be trade meetings on Friday nights, my party has fre­ unionists got from their membership quently held them. But, in the six years that what the law provides. I have been involved in political campaigns, I have never spoken on a political platform Phillips: You have served in the cabinet on a Friday night. Let me give you an exam­ as minister of various agencies: labor, social ple. Traditionally, the minister of labor security, and sports. Was there any role con­ attends the annual May Day celebrations in flict between your responsibilities and the Barbados. May Day has, within the time Adventist position on trade unions? that I have been a minister of labor, fallen Johnson: Naturally, since I am a Seventh­ on Sabbath. I have always indicated to union day Adventist, I share the view that we are officials that as much as I would like to not to and should not participate in trade attend the celebrations in my capacity as unionism. But it so happened that I was a minister, I am unable to do so because of public servant, called upon to shoulder a religious circumstances. In lieu of my physi­ public function as the minister responsible cal presence, I have one of the senior-level for labor in my country. While it was true officials deliver the ministry's message to the that I was not a union member, I had a duty workers. and .responsibility , under the laws of Bar­ Phillips: We live in a world that is rife bados, and by virtue of the confidence that with problems. Some argue that many of the people reposed in me, to ensure that an these problems are, at their roots, structural environment existed whereby people who ones. Against this background, what ought elect to be trade unionists, got from their to be the posture of the Adventist Church membership what the law provides. But you with respect to social change? are correct, there are occasions of conflict. Johnson: I am skeptical of any church I had conflict with an abortion bill that came that sets out, as its main objective, the desire Volume 16, Number 2 17 to change society. The church has a spiritual tion. What are your views on the status of role to perform. The gospel itself is a mes­ women, particularly in the church? What is sage for social change, but not in the politi­ your conception of the role of women at the cal arena. leadership level? Phillips: Do you therefore take a dim Johnson: I believe that society's percep­ view of the liberation theology that is hav­ tion of women and their role is changing ing a field day in Latin America and even daily. Barbadian Adventists are no excep­ trickling into the Caribbean? tion. In 1983, the Gardens Seventh-day Johnson: I am very uncomfortable with Adventist Church elected a woman to serve liberation theology. This posture is not a as an elder. The only problem that we face function of the church. The function of the is that the official church in Barbados does church is to preach the gospel, not involve not feel that women should be ordained into itself in the issues of the day, from national the' 'lay ministry." I haven't really made up insurance to old-age pension. I really don't my own mind about this issue, but I believe want to see the church on the picket line. that women have a leadership role to per­ It is not a safe place for the church. form in the church. Phillips: In the aftermath of the socialist Phillips: The apostle Paul spoke against revolution in Grenada and the alleged the ordination of women. "communist adventurism" of Cuba, the Johnson: Paul's statement was even more governments of the region have placed far-reaching than that. Paul said that women priority on national security or military should keep silent in church. Women are no defense. How do you reconcile your posi­ longer keeping silent in the church so I think tion as an Adventist noncombatant with that the church, in due course, will have to being part of a government that will instruct review its policy position on the status of to kill in the interest of protecting its own women. sovereignty? Phillips: If there was one thing that you Johnson: You are right; I am a noncom­ would like to see the Adventist Church do batant. I served in the United States Army to help spread the gospel, what would that for two years in the medical corps. I believe be? that every country has a public duty and a Johnson: The Adventist Church main­ civic responsibility to provide protection for tains a lower profile than it should. It does its citizens. That is unfortunate. In the ideal not allow itself to tell the world what a mag­ community, we wouldn't need defense, but nificent view of education it embraces. The we have to have it in the communities in preaching ministry is not going to effect all which we do live. I don't see any problem that is necessary to finish the work. The with it. I don't have to fight, but I do have impact of the medical ministry within the to help provide laws and regulations for the Caribbean region and the Inter-American community that will govern that body the Division is not felt the way it should be. We way it should be governed within the con­ need to do a better job of mobilizing the text of civil law. resources of the thinking people in the Phillips: You shared your views on abor- church. A Reformer's Vision: The Church as a Fellowship of Equals

by Lorna Tobler

aving been brought up an Merikay Silver and I seriously proposed that H Adventist, I have always men and women be treated equally on the taken seriously the doctrine of "the priest­ job. hood of all believers" as a statement of an ideal. honestly professed, if not perfectly The Hierarchy Is Not the Church practiced. I learned to respect Bible scholars and the clergy and to seek out their views. But their statements were simply valuable This revelation of the will to power among so many conference officials was something opinions to be seriously considered-cer­ I had never heard justified in any Sabbath tainly not to be treated as the "teaching school quarterly, college Bible class or authority of the church. " I learned from the ~hurch paper. Now, for the first time in my Mission Quarterly that authoritarianism in life, Adventist ministers told me boldly that other religions caused the honest in heart to clerical authority was more important than tum to Adventism for' 'the truth that shall justice. No one ever attempted to tell me make you free." At junior camp, I learned th~t sex discrimination itself was a good to be a "Berean," and to search the Scrip­ thmg. They merely said that it was more tures myself rather than too quickly accept important to support the authority of those the preacher's word. who practiced sex discrimination than to Since I was not only sincere, but reinforced question its justice. in all these attitudes by my experience in This argument was presented to the fed­ denominational employment and church eral court as a defense not only of sex dis­ activities, I was totally unprepared for the crimination, but of any practice in which the assertion of clerical authority over "lay newly minted hierarchy chose to engage: members" as the defense for discriminating , 'The church claims exemption from all civil against women. Friends with whom I had laws, " they argued in the Ninth Circuit worked for many years suddenly assumed Court of Appeals. "The church is free to an alarmed air of injured pride when ignore, even to flout, measures which bind all others" [EEOC vs. PPPA (1982), Brieffor Lorna Tobler carries out research in a law firm in the Appellants; July 6, 1975, pp. 77, 78]. San Francisco Bay area. She was employed at Pacific At the General Conference Session in Press when it was involved in sex discrimination Vienna in 1975, a General Conference vice cases. This essay is adopted from a presentation given to the 1984 National Conference of the Association president asked me, "How do you feel about of Adventist Forums. the way the church has treated you?" Of Volume 16, Number 2 19 course, he knew that I had been involved than deferential connotation. This is made in a decade-long litigation with the manage­ clear in the Adventist Encyclopedia, the ment and board of directors of Pacific Press Church Manual, the writings of Ellen White, over the issue of sex discrimination. The vice and in every other Seventh-day Adventist president asked his question immediately reference source available to the scrutiny of following a well-organized attempt during church members-who obviously believe the session to push through a new method that they themselves constitute the church. of mandatory disfellowshiping, where Not only did this instant hierarchy claim denominationally employed church mem­ to have ascendancy over civil magistrates, bers could be. disfellowshiped upon the more to the point, it claimed to have author­ request of their employing managers. ity over fellow church members-in contra­ That attempt did not succeed, due largely distinction to "the form of church to the skilled and conscientious resistance government which recognizes that author­ of some of the delegates who knew that that ity in the church rests in church member­ maneuver was aimed specifically at defeat­ ship, " as is stated in the Church Manual. ing the rising objections to sex discrimina­ One General Conference religious liberty tion. I had been warmed and heartened by department leader told me: "The authority this unexpected support from church mem­ of the church over its members is more bers I had never met. They had nothing to important than justice." In a sworn gain from their efforts but the approval of affidavit, a General Conference officer their own hearts. Therefore, I told this stated: General Conference brother that I felt won­ In order to achieve the purposes and mis­ derful about the way the church had treated sion of the church and to deal with per­ me. sonnel and all the activities involved, it is Clearly he did not understand. It then absolutely essential for the church to occurred to me that what he meant by "the establish its authority in the community church" was that very group of individuals of believers ... the church must determine who had tried to transfer control of church what is best ... individual judgment must membership from the congregation to the be surrendered to ecclesiastical leaders institutional managers. I asked him who he (Affidavit of Neal C. Wilson, president of meant by "the church"-the General Con­ the General Conference, dated Nov. 27, ference Committee? "Oh, no," he replied, 1974, pp. 6-13, EEOC vs. PPPA, supra). "there are only two or three of us who know about this problem." In other words, for Thus the new' 'hierarchy" declared itself him "the church" was comprised of people exempt from civil law and sought to estab­ who wielded, or attempted to wield, power lish its authority in the community of over their fellow members. In short, a believers. If the court had accepted that hierarchy. assertion of total civil and religiOUS control Although I have been an Adventist all my by an Adventist hierarchy, there is little life, I have never had a relationship with a question but that those who argued for it hierarchy. I realize there are differences of would have subsequently urged it on church opinion as to whether Adventists have a members as ' 'duly constituted absolute hierarchy. But I venture to say that the term authority" from which there could be no Adventist hierarchy never appeared in print appeal. before the Pacific Press litigation. The very It is not with this hierarchy, but with the phrase has a ring of irony. The fact that church-Adventist church members individ­ some people act like hierarchs does not ually and collectively-and other Christians make them hierarchs. That term, whenever as well, that my relationship has been Adventists use it, has a pejorative rather strengthened and enhanced through this 20 Spectrum trial of my faith. I have been disappointed quences, Jesus would not assume a false in what I consider a terrible failure of wit­ position merely to support a claim of "duly ness on the part of men whom the church constituted authority. " He put honest wit­ trusted with leadership. But then, haven't ness above support of those in authority. I also frequently been disappointed in my Earlier, Jesus had described in electrifying own witness? terms the self-serving nature of this type of The fact that others may need my forgive­ authority: "Woe unto you, scribes and ness reminds me that I also need theirs, and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye devour that we are all daily in need of God's widows' houses, and for a pretense make redeeming forgiveness. So the answer to the long prayer" (Matthew 23: 14), question of how my struggle with perceived When his disciples, always ambitious injustice by church members affected my themselves for posts of authOrity, wanted to relationship with the church is that my rela­ know who was the greatest, "Jesus called a tionship to the church has been strength­ little child unto him, and set him in the ened and matured by increased understand­ midst of them, and said ... Except ye ... ing, patience, and commitment. In addition, become as little children,ye shall not enter I returned to my Berean training and into the kingdom of heaven .... Take heed "searched the Scriptures daily" for answers that ye despise not one of these little ones; to the question of church authority. This is for I say unto you, That in heaven their what I found in the gospel: angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 18: et seq,). How Jesus Related to the Here the disciples had just heard the greatest leadership course ever given. To be Powerful and Powerless great leaders, they must give priority to the powerless. To fail in this is disastrous, since hen the Pharisees rebuked these apparently powerless "little ones" W Jesus for allowing his disci­ have a personal representative in instant pIes to gather com on Sabbath, Jesus was audience with God. Even politicians should direct: "If ye had known what this meaneth, be able to understand the dynamics of that. I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye Jesus was constantly illustrating this les­ would not have condemned the guiltless" son. When he and his disciples encountered (Matthew 12:7). This retort was·no mere sar­ the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus not castic reflection on the Pharisees' biblical only socialized with her, an outcast, to the literacy. Jesus here pointed to the clear aim scandal of his disciples, but discussed the­ of their pompous assumption of false ology with her and revealed to her, before authority-to condemn the guiltless. all others, that he was Christ, the promised At his trial, Jesus responded to the high Saviour. priest who interrogated him and "when he His acceptance of the Samaritan woman had thus spoken, one of the officers which so transformed her that many in that city stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his believed in him because of her testimony. hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest But all this was over the head of the disci­ so?" They were not interested in what Jesus ples, who were busying themselves with had to say, but in establishing their own food. (Notice the role reversal-men bustling authority. To this' 'Jesus answered him, If about with food, while a woman discussed I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: theology with Jesus.) But the lesson was·not but if well, why smitest thou me?" (John ultimately lost on the disciples. Almost all 18:22, 23), Even in the most extreme cir­ of them were also from the uneducated cumstances, and on pain of direst conse- classes, and they too were empowered by Volume 16. Number 2 21

Jesus to turn the world upside down with The disciples, not unlike the chief priests the force of their testimony. and elders, were obsessed with earthly Jesus' sermon "to the multitude, and to power and authority. Jesus' priorities were his disciples" recorded in Matthew was a just the opposite. In the kingdom of heaven, call to eschew the example of the religious power and authority, as we know it, have leaders in authority, who loved to be no place. In the parable of the laborers, Jesus addressed with terms of deference. "Do not showed that he understood that the desire call anyone master," he said, "and do not for pre-eminence and seniority is universal. call yourselves masters. " ''The princes of the The wail of the workers who had "borne the Gentiles exercise dominion, " he had earlier burden and heat of the day" was, "Thou cautioned, " ... and they that are great exer­ hast made them equal unto us. " Were they cise authority upon them. But it shall not grateful for their opportunities, or concerned be so among you" (Matthew 22:25, 26), with the unemployed? "Is thine eye evil, We are to make ourselves useful to others, because I am good?" Jesus asked. The as he did, who came to serve, not to be answer, sadly, was yes. They resented God's served, who took the form of a slave, and affirmative action for the disenfranchised. gave his life for others. This model of leader­ ship is the antithesis of the traditional male model of leadership based on ascendancy. How the Powerful and Powerless But by advancing selfless service as the principle of leadership, Jesus did not imply Responded to Jesus passivity. To the moneychangers in the tem­ ple, who were taking financial advantage of he chief priests perceived that the faithful and intimidating them, Jesus T he spoke of them, and they minced no words in telling them what they sought to lay hands on him, restrain him, were doing. He also took action and put a entangle him in his talk-kill him. For them, stop to it. He not only told them they were power and authority were more important stealing-he also overthrew their tables. The than justice. They equated their own power chief priests. and elders wanted to know and authority with "the nation, " or, as we where he got the authority to do that-who might say, "the church. " Better that one die had appointed him to look after people who than that the whole nation perish. This man were under their jurisdiction? In his was exposing their dirty linen and so, they response, Jesus dispensed with all subtlety: reasoned, endangering the whole church. "Verily I say unto you, That the publicans They were not concerned with the money­ and the harlots go into the kingdom of God changers. They objected to Christ's methods before you" (Matthew 21:31). In their of reform. To them, it was a question of relentless quest for authority, the priests and authority. elders were overtaken by their most despised The common people heard him gladly. parishioners seeking the kingdom of God. Nevertheless, right after Jesus had observed When children were brought to Jesus, the the widow offering her farthing and had disciples, after all they had seen and heard, declared that she, rather than the head still had everything in reverse; they elders who made great ostentatious offer­ "rebuked" the powerless. Patiently, Jesus ings, had done far more than anyone-right corrected them. Hadn't he told them to after that the disciples pointed out an beware of offending one of these little ones, impressive church building. Jesus had hardly because each had a personal envoy before finished commenting on how this had been the Almighty? To Christ, these powerless built by robbing widows' houses. The com­ people were the important ones in the king­ mon people, too, were often impressed with dom of heaven. power and authority and their trappings. 22 Spectrum

When on the Sabbath Jesus healed the 10:22-25, emphasis supplied). Here Jesus man born blind, and so was criticized for was talking to his disciples in the midst of breaking the Sabbath, the Pharisees inter­ his own people to whom he had come. The rogated the poor man. This man may have persecution he described was not necessar­ been powerless, but he was also fearless. He ily to come from gentiles or the government. said unequivocally that Jesus was a prophet. The persection that Jesus and his diSciples When the blind man's parents evaded experienced was from their own leaders answering the Pharisees' questions, because whose abuse of power he had rebuked. they feared them, and so sent the Pharisees Again reversing the priorities of power as back to their son, he responded again: "One we know them, Jesus declared, "He that thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now . findeth his life shall lose it: and he that I see." loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He The man showed plenty of spirit-too that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that much for the insecure egos of the chief receiveth me receiveth him that sent me" priests-and they cast him out. "Jesus heard (Matthew 10:39, 40), Those who have re­ that they had cast him out; and when he had nounced the will to rule, those to whom found him, he said unto him, Dost thou Christ has given sight to see their true rela­ believe on the Son of God? He answered and tionship to the one Master and their true said, 'Who is he, Lord, that I might believe equality to their Geschwister, their brothers on him?' And Jesus said unto him, Thou and sisters, these will respond to his mes­ hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh sage of release and empowerment today the with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And same as did the man whose sight Jesus he worshipped him. And Jesus said, For restored. They will believe. But they may not justice I am come into this world, that they be so quick as he to find their courage. There which see not might see; and that they are many Nicodemuses among those who which see might be made blind." (John believe. 9:35-39, emphasis supplied), The powerless know fear and hopeless­ ness, but Jesus gave them vision and hope. The powerful fear loss of their power, with A Fellowship of Equals good reason. Jesus promised them that the first would become last. Consider, however, any people point out the that the moment they lose power and M need for authority in the authority, they become one of the power­ church, as in business and government, for less to whom Christ gives hope and sight. the sake of order. They like to quote Paul about diverse gifts, and they usually rush to the defense of Martha (' 'What would we do What Response We Can Expect without Marthas?"), without precisely con­ tradicting Jesus' clear statement that it was From the Powerful and Powerless Mary, rather, who had discovered the true relationship to Christ. , 'Y e shall be hated ... for my What we must beware of is the leaven of name's sake. The disciple the Pharisees. We must not vest the organi­ is not above his master, nor the servant zation, by which we accomplish tasks, with above his lord. It is enough for the disciple spiritual authority. It is merely an instru­ that he be as his master, and the servant as ment and does not constitute a relationship. his lord. If they have called the master of Of all our edifices, not one stone will be left the house Beelzebub, how much more shall upon another. Not one conference president they call them of his household?" (Matthew will be honored as such in the kingdom of Volume 16. Number 2 23 heaven. The first shall be last and the last that my joy might remain in you, and that first. your joy might be full" (John 15, emphasis What, then, is the nature of our relation­ supplied). ship to the church? Where is the locus of Love is the authorizing principle of our spiritual authority? relationship to the church, to Christ, and to "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He one another-the love that forgoes power, that abideth in me, and I in him, the same the will to rule, and the desire for hierarchy. bringeth forth much fruit: for without me That kind of spiritual authority comes ye can do nothing." from "the high and lofty One that "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: dwell in the high and holy place, witb bim but I bave called you friends; for all things that also tbat is of a contrite and bumble spirit, to I have heard of my Father I have made revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive known unto you." the heart of the contrite ones" (Isaiah 57:15, emphasis supplied). This is why the little ones, the powerless It is not with this hierarchy, but with the ones, make up the kingdom of God-and church-Adventist church members why we had better take heed how we treat individually and collectively-and other them, because they have a direct connection Christians as well-that my relationship with the Almighty. He who inhabits eternity has been strengthened and enhanced dwells also with them. through this trial of my faith. If we recognize that spiritual hierarchy is a fiction, that God has made them all "equal "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever unto us, " and, having made himself our ser­ I command you. This is my commandment, vant, he now calls us friends-then we will That ye love one another, as I have loved truly have the joy that he desired might you. Greater love hath no man than this, remain with us. The Seventh-day Adventist that a man lay down his life for his friends. ' , Church that I continue to cherish is just such "These things have I spoken unto you, a fellowship of friends. General Conference Introduction Agenda for the General Conference Session

by Ronald Graybill

ven if women's ordination grasp of detail in the church's operation, and E does not spark the "Battle of his tendency to become involved in many New Orleans" at the 1985 General Confer­ of those details, changes at the vice­ ence Session, the 54th World Congress of presidential level are not as important as the Seventh-day Adventist Church will elect they would be under a different style of a new group of top leaders and decide many presidency. important issues of church order. However, vice presidents each have assigned areas of responsibility that could be profoundly affected by the selections made. For instance, Lorna Linda and New Officers Andrews Universities will be getting new board chairmen. lthough Neal C. Wilson is Furthermore, filling these posts in the A certain to be re-elected pres­ General Conference will have a ripple effect ident of the General Conference, there will all through the church. Union and division still be a large number of changes in the top officers are likely candidates for vice­ levels of the church's leadership. At least presidential posts, and their positions will four, and possibly five, of the six vice presi­ be taken, in turn, by others. Those who dents will retire. The General Conference fasted and prayed for the General Confer­ treasurer, Lance Butler, is also expected to ence Session will need to keep praying for step down. months to come that God will guide in the All these men are officers of the General selection of wise and compassionate leaders. Conference, and with the demise of the Pres­ ident's Executive Advisory (PREXAD) , the officers have become, de facto, the most powerful decision-making group in the Gen­ Church Structure eral Conference. With so many new faces in the inner circle, the appearance of the group n New Orleans, delegates will will change. Whether these changes will I also codify Adventist Church extend beyond mere appearances is unclear. order in much the same way the 1980 ses­ Given Wilson's long tenure, his phenomenal sion codified church doctrine into the 27 Fundamental Beliefs. New constitutions for union and local conferences are a case in Ronald Graybill, formerly of the White Estate staff, point. In the past, the church's working is communications director of the Columbia Union. His essay draws on material that has appeared in the policy included "model" constitutions. Columbia Union Visitor, of which he is the editor. Now those constitutions have been worked Volume 16, Number 2 25 over and, if all goes according to plan, will function may lie in their codification of some be declared mandatory. This measure is an long-unspoken ideals. For instance, the attempt to curb constitutional innovations church is said to function on a committee, that have appeared in such places as the not a presidential system. This means that North Pacific Union. Church leaders fear the three principal officers of a conference, that unless greater uniformity is assured in union, or of the General Conference­ this area, a dangerous degree of fragmenta­ president, secretary, and treasurer-each tion will occur. derives his authority directly from the exec­ The hazard of such a move is that if the utive committee. Thus the secretary and new constitutions contain some unforeseen treasurer are responsible directly to the exec­ weaknesses, every union and local confer­ utive committee, not to the president. The ence will be forced to live within them until report also makes clear that there are four, the next General Conference session. Con­ not five, levels of organization: local church, versely, if unforeseen needs arise, no con­ local conference, union conference, and stitutional adaptations will be possible General Conference. Divisions are not an without approval of the world church. Iron­ additional layer of administration. Rather, ically, the concept of mandatory constitu­ they are integral parts of the General Con­ tions seems to be at odds with the aim of ference in the various geographical areas of the statement on the Role and Function of the world. Church Organizations, which the session is A rationale for the' 'special relationship' , also considering. The Role and Function between the North American Division and plan espouses a church in which plans ori­ the General Conference is also spelled out ginate at the local level and are adopted at in the Role and Function document. The higher levels as they prove workable. most compelling reason for the special rela­ The statement on the Role and Function tionship is the fact that the church members of Church Organizations is, of course, in North America are. far more wealthy than another codification of church organization, those in most other parts of the world. The genius of Adventist organization has always been that more wealthy areas provide the If all goes according to plan, "model" financial resources to advance the work in constitutions will be declared mandatory. less-prosperous territories. This measure is an attempt to curb con­ Nevertheless, as the General Conference stitutional innovations that have becomes more truly international in its con­ appeared in such places as the North cerns and work, it seems inevitable that the Pacific Union. North American Division will become more like the other world divisions in its relation­ albeit a generally innovative one. Its most ship to the General Conference. Already sweeping innovation is the creation of a each General Conference department has Church Ministries Department to replace named a North American representative the Sabbath School, Youth, Personal Minis­ who meets periodically in "North American tries, and Stewardship Departments. The staff" meetings headed by Charles E. action proposed to the session will accom­ Bradford, president of the North American plish this reorganization only at the General Division. Even Bradford's title bespeaks Conference/division level. Meanwhile, in growing North American independence. His union and local conferences across North post was formerly known as vice president America, experiments are under way with for North America. many different configurations of depart­ Another innovation in church order will ments and personnel. be the proposed establishment of a church­ The real significance of actions on role and wide computerized personnel information 26 Spectrum system. The system will compile calls for reform in ordination pra~tices for employment-related data on all church the purpose of limiting ministerial ordina­ employees and make this information avail­ tion to those who perform "direct pastoral, able to all levels of church organization evangelistic, ecclesiastical, and other clearly needing such data. ministerial-type duties." Since this might leave out treasurers and other important workers, it is not impossible to imagine that such a reform could eventually sever the link Role of Women between ordination and a preferential pay scale. Perhaps a nonordained pay scale will he fact that the 1985 General need to be worked out that will compensate T Conference session will "take for the tax advantage enjoyed by clergymen. no definitive action at this time" regarding the ordination of women does not mean that this area of church order will be neglected. Family Life An "Affirmative Action" plan will be pro­ posed to involve women in all the ministries ot all the General Confer­ of the church that do not require ordination. ence actions will revolve If the General Conference session moves in N around church order, however. This session this direction, it would undermine the oppo­ will reflect the church's increasing concern nents of women's ordination, since most of for the quality of family life and standards their arguments are directed against women of sexual morality. In one action, the dele­ in leadership of any sort, not against ordi­ gates will recognize the General Conference nation per se. Home and Family Service by including it in Following this same trend, the ordination the Church Manual. In another, the position service for deaconesses is also likely to be of local church family life director is approved. This involves striking a statement proposed. from the Church Manual which declares that Following Spring Council the Officers since there is no biblical precedent for approved a Church Manual revision to be ordaining deaconesses, Seventh-day Adven­ submitted to the General Conference Ses­ tists do not practice it. In place of that state­ sion, which declares homosexuality and les­ ment, an Ellen White comment endorsing bianism to be "obvious perversions of God's the practice will be used. original plan. " The statement also implies The recent round of deliberations on that homosexuality is a completely reversi­ women's ordination was originally sparked ble condition. It declares that those who are by the obvious inequity that arose when in Christ "receive full pardon and the right women pastors with the same training, to choose anew the better way, the way to experience, productivity and sense of call­ complete renewaL" By the power of the ing as men saw their male counterparts Holy Spirit "all that sin has caused may be empowered by ministerial licenses to bap­ undone, " the statement concludes. tize those they had won to Christ while the women could not. North America is unique in allowing licensed ministers (who are not yet ordained) to baptize. Consequently, the Church Hymnal Spring Meeting has recommended that the General Conference session refer this in­ he new church hymnal, slated equity to the North American Division for T for introduction at the resolution. General Conference Session, will provide a Another Spring Meeting recommendation new medium for celebration and praise dur- Volume 16, Number 2 27 ing the deliberations. Dozens of Adventist Mission musicians, scholars, composers, performers, pastors and administrators contributed to the new hymnal. Wayne Hooper, principal inally, the General Conference editor of the book, brought a knowledge of F Session will listen to reports on church music to his task which went far the 1000 Days of Reaping. The program will beyond the gospel songs he is often asso­ prove to have been an overall success, but ciated with because of his former member­ it will leave two areas of growing challenge ship in the King's Heralds quartet. unmet: the increasingly active millions of the The book will have the effect of broaden­ Islamic world will still be largely untouched, ing the hymnody of the church to include while highly educated, technically advanced many of the great hymns of other commun­ Western peoples will also show troubling ions. Many original compositions and resistance to the church's message. The arrangements by Adventist musicians will church still sorely needs educated Adven­ also be featured. What will be significantly tists who, resisting the temptation to sur­ lacking in the new book will be high qual­ render the church to obscurantists, will ity hymn-poems by Adventist authors. A claim it as their own and continue to present hymn contest by the committee yielded only it to the world as a joyous, sensible way of one or two usable poems. life. Welcome to Nu Awlins, DaW"lin

By Judy Rittenhouse

he General Conference of Sev­ ricanes, engulfed by floods and razed in T enth-day Adventists has fires. They endured yellow fever, cholera chosen the Louisiana Superdome in New and typhUS in the unpromising wet. Orleans for its 1985 World Conference. The Although they were soon an amalgam of delegates will visit a city celebrated for its Europeans and Africans, they spoke French, jazz, seafood, naked women and architec­ sent their sons to school in France and called ture. Tour recommendations for Adventists themselves Creoles. In the 19th century, presumably will be long on architecture. immigrants of every description packed into But New Orleans (it does not rhyme with the few dry habitable spaces. It was a close "new jeans") is distinctive in many ways fit and necessitated civic tolerance. A hybrid that tourists may not observe. Here is the way of life developed that is foreign to part that tourist manuals leave out. Here are Northern Louisiana and the rest of the sweeping generalities about New Orleans South. In its civic attitudes, religion and and its ways. Here's what is good and bad famous cuisine, New Orleans to this day is in its soul. not Southern but Caribbean. Over the centuries the people of New In New Orleans, nature could wipe out Orleans have worked hard to make a life your family. Epidemics stole your children. here. They wring their existence from a Something you ate in the summer took you swamp that puddles between Lake Pont­ in an afternoon. Passion killed your neigh­ chartrain and the Mississippi. bor. Men of honor died in duels. Death was The French originally settled it in order to everywhere. The creoles outreached it by protect La Salle's claim to all lands the river relishing life, as survivors sometimes do. A drained. Its purpose was commerce, and all hard life could be eclipsed by moments of its colonists had to do was stay alive and do intense pleasure. business. That proved difficult. Religious devotion and a good time: both The French and then the Spanish, and the are suitable responses to life in New Orleans. many nationalities that joined them, devel­ In 1821, John James Audubon wrote of a oped levees, canals and pumps to drain their Sunday morning with "church bells ringing saucer of a port. (New Orleans has four and billiard balls knocking. " A person had times as many canals as Venice,) They laid to trust in faith or luck. The factors that out a small city and saw it flattened by hur- determined survival-disease, hurricanes and fickle kings-were largely out of control. When French, Spanish, Italian and Irish Catholics all met here, eventually they com­ Judy Rittenhouse just came up to Pennsylvania from two years in New Orleans and gets back as often as posed a lenient church with a wide tolerance she can. of unorthodoxy. Walker Percy observes in Volume 16, Number 2 29

Lancelot that it's not the religion "that he different classes define the informs this city, but rather some special T other aspect of New Orleans, local accommodation to it or relaxation from the stark class contrast that is as distinctive it. " to the city as cast iron balconies. In New A nun and a well-educated career woman Orleans, the inflexible aspects of human are having lunch. They mention their nature have seized on social strata. Its class mutual friend, a middle-aged man who has structure, based on lineage; is perpetuated left his wife and moved in with a woman through vigilance, exclusion and private who is about to have his baby. The women education. The different layers are separate are matter-of-fact. Their friend is much hap­ from one another; there is little mingling of pier now. These women, devout women of concern and little sense of general correct behavior, are wholly New Orlea­ community. nean: They accept human frailty as they Mardi Gras is the clearest demonstration accept the weather. of the city's social layering. Every strata is Fortunately their tolerance extends to fun­ represented and ratifies itself. At the top, the damentalists. Informed about the Seventh­ oldest, most prestigious krewes (celebrating day Adventist way of life and why Adven­ organizations) ritualize their aristocracy­ tists won't partake of all that New Orleans as they do in private clubs and debutante has to offer, a local historian reviewed the balls for their children. precepts several times and said, "I don't Mardi Gras parades go on at least daily for question people's beliefs. I just hope that in two weeks before Fat Tuesday ushers in the this case they're wrong." She grew up in start of Lent. These should be seen, if only New Orleans and is patient with practices for anthropolOgical insight. The parading that strike her as crazy. krewe members ride on floats. The crowds stand down on the ground shouting, "Throw me something, Mister," and try to In its civic attitudes, religion and famous catch the trinkets and junk that trickles cuisine New Orleans to this day is not down. Imagine what unsympathetic social southern but Caribbean. analysts do with that! Although money can't buy its way into the When the General Conference delegates elite, the economic layers in New Orleans parade in the street in their national dress bunch up into two major groups-the well­ during the first days of their conference, off and the poor. The cleavage between they will be honoring centuries of parade them is enormous. and pageant tradition in their host city. They New Orleans' population is about half may be ignored, their orderly procession black, and almost 40 percent of the city's making much less of a sensation than it did black families live in poverty, afflicted with in Dallas. But if the timing is right and their poor education and underemployment. Six music is good, if they happily include years ago, a mayor's study found that the onlookers and don't faint in the heat, then 20 percent of the families with the lowest they will have a good time. And that is the incomes receive four percent of all money criterion for success here. In New Orleans, earned here. Wealth is probably' 'more une­ charm is the entering wedge of the gospel. qual" here than' 'in any other major city in It is easy to believe-and it might be true­ the U.S.," according to the mayor's report. that most folks have a good time, some of In between the big blocks of rich and poor, the time, at least. The privileged class has is a relatively small middle-class of both made gaiety its goal-and has achieved it. black and white. Most middle-class people, The unprivileged class leaves the impression especially white middle-class, live in the sur­ that it does when it can. rounding suburbs, leading an existence that 30 Spectrum

is as featureless as the city's is distinctive. Twenty percent of local employment is A sizable upper class is at the top, com­ tourist related. Tourist services, however, posed of the true ancienne fiche mixed with use unskilled labor seasonally. Almost some new money. New Orleans doesn't invariably those receiving the services are have the great fortunes of $25 million or white, and the folks cleaning up, cooking, more. Its affluence is conspicuous, but the serving, singing and dancing for them are magnates earning a million dollars a month black-and underpaid. The average hotel are in Dallas and Houston. Capital has not housekeeper in New Orleans earns been wildly venturesome and lucky here. $3.88/hour compared to $6.15 in Washing­ New Orleans is a city of two layers: rich ton, D.C., or $5.60 in Boston. Living is not and poor. The local press describes this con­ a lot cheaper here, but labor is. dition, and special reports detail it for the In New Orleans we can see what society mayor. But even a tourist can appreciate the will be like when no one pays taxes. (State economic cleavage. limits on property tax, a legacy of Huey Long's popUlism, result in 80 percent of ome analysts contend that the property owners in New Orleans paying no S class system of New Orleans would crumble in a generation if it weren't When the General Conference delegates supported by two distinct school systems­ parade in the street in their national dress public and private. Eighty-three percent of during the first days of their conference the black children are in public schools. they will be honoring centuries of parade Almost two-thirds of the white children and pageant tradition in their host city. attend private schools. Having one's child In New Orleans, charm is the entering at the right school is a telling detail of social wedge of the gospel. prominence. A doctor, treating the father, '. asks the child where she goes to school. The family can be designated accordingly. When property tax at all.) The resultant need is out we first moved to New Orleans, I learned on the surface. that the uptown preschool to which my It is not as easy to see that an unsung com­ daughter had obtained a scholarship munity of folk try to respond to the need. enrolled no black children. White parents The people who survive as progressives vary explained it by saying the tuition alone was· in their makeup, but share this: they are prohibitive for most people of color. patient. Many of them are religious. Public education here has not served the lower class well. Leave a note in easy English ew Orleans, Louisiana, is for a delivery person and observe that your N often abbreviated NOLA. request isn't followed because the man can't Nola sounds like a woman with a past, who read it. The condition of mass under­ is worn and lovely and likes a good time. education is one factor in New Orleans' low The name suits the city. It is a commercial industrial development. It is commonly center, but it doesn't buzz with mercantile believed that more industry will come when hustle bustle. Its animation springs from life it can find educated, literate labor. for its own sake, with French emphasis on However, that's not the entire explanation the amenities: good food, good music, good for the city's low industrial base. In the past talk and fancy clothes. Life here has a two decades New Orleans has lost light strong, slow pulse that sounds like snoring industry to the suburbs for several reasons, once the parades are past. It's the land of including white flight that quickened with dreamy dreams, alright. school integration. In this respect, the city Semitropical growth is fragrant in March· almost strangled on racism. and rank in July. In the summer, moss grows Volume 16, Number 2 31 on the sidewalk and the yards are heavy with A heavy-set black woman climbs on. The rot. But life isn't spent. People persist with driver nods as though he knows her and she lethargic spark. They run through the kill­ sits by me. She is wearing a white uniform ing heat to jump on the bus and shuffle to and duty shoes. She speaks to one of the a seat in air-conditioned relief. four women on the car who are wearing uni­ There is a certain risk to being out alone forms, too. in the evening, but I like to take the street­ car down St. Charles at twilight after rush To us she says, "How are you, Baby?" I hour. My son rides free. We take our seats know she is addressing me, not my son. She in the middle of the car and raise the win­ calls white women baby because she raised dow. Then he sits up on my lap to feel the them when they were little. She adds, "I breeze. have a little boy just like you." She's not Three kids are jiving around in front of the talking about her own family. This woman K B Drug Store at Broadway, a big silver has actually been in one or two of the man­ radio sitting on the sidewalk. Stevie Wonder sions we're passing. I don't know if they are sings "Superstition" as they dance. One guy more accessible to her than to me. puts his head back with his eyes shut and We get off at St. Andrew together. The purses his lips. light is almost gone. It will be cooler as we The sky we see through the oaks is dim­ walk toward the river. I hope she does not ming to lavender. Trees 100m purple as we live in the housing project at the end of the rock along. The mansions on the avenue street. recede, except for light from their chan­ deliers. Splintered through the beveled glass Cicadas are singing in the first block. In of big front doors it plays through the facets New Orleans they remind me of the poor like bells. The streetcar slows to a stop; an people-filling in the background for the appropriate burning smell of brakes comes lucky ones, making a claim by their presence up through the floor. and enduring song. Commission Postpones Decision on Ordination of Wotnen

by Debra Gainer Nelson

he Spring Meeting of the Gen­ The commission, convened by the 1984 T eral Conference Committee Annual Council, also became a forum for a recently recommended that the church take wider discussion of the role of women within no definitive action regarding the ordination the church. Thus, in addition to recom­ of women to the gospel ministry until 1989 . mending further study on the question of Church leaders recommended on April 4, women's ordination, the commission also 1985, that the church maintain its present recommended-and the Spring Meeting sub­ position on the subject until further studies sequently accepted-that the church should: can be made by Adventist scholars and the­ • Institute an "affirmative action" plan to ologians under the direction of the Biblical open to women leadership positions that do Research· Institute. Discussion of these not require ordination; studies will be assigned to a committee that • Re-emphasize the importance of the will meet in early 1988 and present its find­ work of Bible instructors; ings to the 1988 Spring Meeting. Then, • Encourage pastors and their wives to under this plan, the 1989 Annual Council work together in "team ministry"; will undertake a complete review of the issue • Recognize the need to educate people of women's ordination. about the roles unordained women may In taking this vote, the Spring Meeting was have in the church, and formulate specific following the recommendations made by the plans to achieve these educational goals and General Conference Commission to Study present them to the 1985 Annual Council. the Ordination of Women to the Gospel The commission also recommended­ Ministry, which had met in Takoma Park again affirmed by the Spring Meeting­ March 26-28, the week preceding the Spring reformation of the church's ordination prac­ Meeting. During the meetings, the commis­ tices, proposing limitation of ordination to sion's attitude changed from 35 percent in only those who clearly perform ministerial favor of women's ordination to 55 percent or evangelistic duties. in favor, though most commission members Finally, on the subject of fully licensed believe that the church is not yet ready to ministers-an issue that was brought to the take this step. forefront in North America by the Potomac . Conference, which voted to give its three women pastors ministerial licenses and Debra Gainer Nelson works at a political and eco­ nomic research firm in Washington, D.C., and is authorized them to conduct baptisms-the completing her M.A. in public relations at the commission and the Spring Meeting voted University of Maryland. to refer the question back to the North Volume 16, Number 2 33

American .Division Committee. The division ordination supporters on the committee are was asked to ' , clarify the functions of impatient with the delay of the decision until ministerial workers who hold the ministerial 1989. and many opposed would have licenses, including how those relate to preferred a definitive church stand against women who serve as pastors." The North the issue. However, most commission American Division was requested to submit members-including Neal Wilson-felt a "complete proposal on procedure" to the strongly that if women's ordination were 1985 Annual Council for consideration. presented this year to the General Confer­ The first four items regarding ordination, ence session for a yes-or-no decision, it women's participation in church work, would have met with resounding defeat. reformation of ordination practices, and Wilson and many members of the commis­ education of the church, will be presented sion, though they had reservations about as recommendations to the General Confer­ ordaining women now. did not want to see ence session in New Orleans this June. The a clear rejection of women's ordination. subject of the function of licensed ministers which could, some said, set the issue back will be presented as a report rather than as for at least another generation. a recommendation, since it is currently at issue only in the North American Division. he commission was diverse, T including leaders and laypeo­ pIe from North America and around the Most commission members-including world. Representatives included presidents Neal Wilson-felt strongly that if women's ordination were presented this of all divisions except Euro-Africa. which was represented by its division secretary. year to the General Conference Session Neal Wilson chaired the commission. and for a yes-or-no decision. it would have George Reid, director of the Biblical met with resounding defeat. Most did not Research Institute. served as secretary. The want to see a clear rejection which could set the issue back for at least another General Conference was represented by 15 generation. additional members, including two women: Charlotte Conway, business manager of Home Study International, and Betty Because the recommendations, though Holbrook. director of Home and Family apparently not the report. will be submit­ Service. The SDA Theological Seminary was ted for approval at the General Conference represented by Gerhard Hasel, dean. and session, they are open for debate and could Raoul Dederen. professor of New Testa­ possibly be renounced or changed. "I expect ment. who have both published studies in there will be some discussion, " said Robert the past supporting women's ordination. Nixon, communications director of the William Johnsson, editor of Adventist Review. General Conference, "but the consensus and Ron Wisbey, president of Potomac Con­ seemed pretty clear at the Spring Meeting ference, were also members. that the recommendations were acceptable The 66-member commission included a to the world church. " He noted that all divi­ total of 15 women. In addition to Conway sion presidents were present at the Spring and Holbrook. other women were: Marsha Meeting, along with other church officers, Frost, pastor of the Fairfax. Virginia, church and that all voted without reservation to and one of the women pastors who has per­ affirm the commission's recommendations. formed baptisms; Beatrice Neall, professor Many commission members seem to be of theology at Union College; Shirani satisfied that the commission made the best de'Alwis,a faculty member at Spicer Mem­ recommendations it could have, consider­ orial College in India; Aulikki Nahkola, ing the timing and the circumstances. Some Greek professor at Newbold College. 34 Spectrum

England; Kit Watts, a librarian at Andrews basis that drop-in, occasional attendance University and one of the original par­ might produce a distorted view of the ticipants in the Camp Mohaven Conference; proceedings because of the wide range of Delores Maupin, a lay member of the opinions being expressed. All meetings were General Conference Committee; Nancy faithfully attended by the commission mem­ Bassham from the Far Eastern Division bers themselves; indeed, said Wilson, it was headquarters; Joan Baldwin, a nurse in Syd­ the only committee he could remember ney, Australia; Dorothy Eddlemon, mem­ chairing that had 100 percent attendance for ber of the Pacific Union Conference the entirety of every session. executive committee; Hedwig Jemison, retired from the White Estate at Andrews ilson began the meeting by University; Rosalee Haffner Lee, author and W introducing all members to pastor's wife in Big Rapids, Michigan; one another, distributing a questionnaire to Torhild Rom, an ordained local church elder help determine initial group opinion, and in Pearl River, N ew York; and Delores Slik­ listing a seven-item agenda-mostly on the kers, a layperson from Holland, Michigan, theological aspects of the ordination of and previously a member of the General women. However, it soon became clear that Conference Role and Function Committee. members did not want to discuss the agenda The highly male composition of the com­ topics systematically. Wilson set aside the mission and the belief that it was' 'stacked' , agenda in order to listen to speeches from against ordination produced criticism of the the floor. They took up much of the commission before it convened. However, remainder of the meeting, which lasted until some commission members believed that 5:30 p.m. the first day and until 9:45 p.m. the group turned out to be well-balanced. on the last night. Some of the topics dis­ "Even if different members had been cussed included the theology of ordination; chosen, " said Charlotte Conway, "the same understanding of a minister's call; equality; issues would have been raised. I believe we unity of the church; and the roles of fathers discussed just about every aspect of the and mothers in the home. issue. It wouldn't have mattered if there North American Division President were more women. " In fact, the women on Charles Bradford, by several accounts, made the commission expressed themselves on the most powerful and moving speech in both sides of the issue. support of full participation of women in the gospel ministry. Bradford, who was one of North American Division President the last speakers of the session, pointed out Charles Bradford. by several accounts, that the ordination of women elders in made the most powerful and moving North America has not caused division in speech in support of full participation of the church. He said that' 'this is the age of women in the gospel ministry. the Spirit" and that Adventists must rid themselves of a "high church" view of the ministry. "We have a huge residual desposit Wilson as commission chairman was of the sacerdotal in us, " he said. "We need "frank, democratic, and unbiased," says to purge this out of the lump. " Saying that member Warren Banfield, director of the God is "an equal-opportunity employer, ' , General Conference Office of Human Rela­ he contended that the gifts of the Spirit may tions. The meetings were nevertheless closed be given to anyone and should not be to all but committee members and church wasted. "The Spirit gives out gifts," he said officers, and the doors were firmly guarded "and we need to recognize them. " against intruders. Commission members While William Johnsson made one of the defended this approach, however, on the earliest speeches in favor of women's ordi- Volume 16, Number 2 35 nation, his personal support is not expected several overseas representatives, particularly to color his coverage of the issue in the Bekele Heye, president of the Eastern Africa Adventist Review. Johnsson spoke from a Division, who also spoke of the need for New Testament view, noting that the church more biblical evidence to support ordaining does not take literally Paul's instructions for­ women. Each division leader came prepared bidding women to speak or teach. He noted with a report of the feelings about ordina­ that if there is no text to support the ordi­ tion in his particular field, assessed by vari­ nation of women, there is also no text to ous studies and surveys. The consensus in support the abolition of slavery, and he said most areas was that the membership was that setting up barriers against any class of either actively opposed to ordination or else people violates the spirit of Paul's writings. not yet ready to accept it, though Southern Former Adventist Review editor Kenneth Asia indicated that it would accept whatever Wood also made a strong statement of sup­ decision was made by the world church. port, noting that self-development is our Not all opposition came from the overseas responsibility to God, and that it is wrong divisions, however. Some General Confer­ for the church to keep people from reach­ ence leaders such as Francis Wernick, ing their full potential. general vice president, have continued to Richard Lesher, former director of the Bib­ oppose vigorously the ordination of women. lical Research Institute and vice president of the General Conference, and current presi­ Over the course of their deliberations dent of Andrews University, spoke forcibly commission members changed their atti­ in favor of women's ordination, illustrating tude. This time, 34 of 60 members (56 with the story of Peter and Cornelius the fact percent) said they did support the ordina­ that the church cannot always find a histor­ tion of women, an increase of 20 percent ical precedent for moving forward. Lesher points, and 27 (or 45 percent) said they said that some mistakenly have a highly did not support ordination of women. sacramental view of ordination. "Which is greater-to minister or to be ordained? The greater is to minister. To be ordained is sim­ Wernick said that since we do not currently ply to be recognized for that ministry, " said have the answers we need on the issue, we Lesher. Hasel and Dederen also reiterated should not move forward at this time. He their position that the Bible does not pre­ also said that perhaps the church had done clude women's ordination. the wrong thing by giving unordained men In general, theologians on the commission licenses to baptize and perform marriages. seemed to be supportive of women's ordi­ nation, except for Mario Veloso, a field he support for ordination of secretary in the South American Division, T women among the lay mem­ assigned to matters having to do with the bers of North America is also far from unani­ Spirit of Prophecy. Veloso said that he did mous. A General Conference survey of 1,048 not believe there was a strong enough case respondents in North America recently to support ordaining women-no' 'thus saith showed that, overall, 57 percent oppose the Lord. " He argued that as a Bible-based ordination, 33 percent are in favor, and 10 church, we must be able to find texts to sup­ percent are neutral. Nearly half (48 percent) port our position. However, Angel Rodriguez, said they opposed the appointment of president of Antillian Adventist College in women to pastoral responsibilities, and 60 Puerto Rico and a representative from the percent would oppose having their own Inter-American Division, was a strong church pastored by a woman. Surprisingly, supporter. a somewhat larger number of women than Fairly outspoken opposition came from men (59 to 52 percent) oppose women's 36 Spectrum

ordination, and more predictably, older peo­ interaction. One illustration of this follows: ple (over 56) are most likely to oppose ordi­ A man stood up at the beginning of the nation (65 percent). No sex or age group had meetings to say that he believed in equal­ a clear majority in favor of women's ordi­ ity. He said that his wife and he had worked nation, though the 16-25 age group was as equals side by side for years, he as a evenly split with 39 percent on each side and minister and she as a Cradle Roll teacher. 22 percent neutral. Later, during a break, a woman asked him According to a questionnaire filled out how he would feel if his wife were doing the during the commission's first session, com­ baptizing and he were cutting felts in Cra­ mission members at the beginning of their dle Roll. After the meetings were over, he deliberations reflected the attitudes of the told the woman that he now saw that the survey of North American members. In church has not been treating women fairly response to the question, "At the present and that they must be given more positions time are you inclined toward the approval with real authority. of ordaining women to the gospel minis­ Nevertheless, women-and some men­ try?" 35 percent approved and 50 percent cringed when some male commission mem­ disapproved. The results of the question­ bers expressed surprise as the meetings naire were not revealed until the last day of closed at how very well the women had the meetings, after which Neal Wilson, for the first time during the discussions, out­ Authors of papers opposing ordination all lined his own thoughts on the issue. He said warned that if women are ordained the that ten' years ago his position toward Adventist Church may well next have to ordaining women was more favorable than deal with demands by homosexuals. it is today, as he has become more appre­ hensive about the divisiveness of such a change. He further said that although he is spoken and handled themselves. "I know not basically opposed, he also does not feel they were trying to be complimentary, " said that a good enough case has yet been made one woman, "but did they really think we for the ordination of women. were going to be strident and demanding? After Wilson's presentation, another ques­ I was disappointed that there was still such tionnaire was distributed. The results indi­ a patronizing attitude." cate that over the course of their Women were also disappointed by the deliberations a significant number of com­ opinion expressed by some commission mission members changed their attitude. members that the whole issue was simply an This time, 34 of 60 voters (56 percent) said outgrowth of the feminist movement. For they did support the ordination of women, example, in his paper reviewing the principal an increase of 20 percentage points, and 27 arguments on both sides of the question, (or 45 percent) said they did not support the which was sent to all commission members, ordination of women. Of the 34, however, George Reid wrote that' 'the ordination of only eight believed the church should ap­ women issue arose in the context of coun­ prove of ordination now, while 26 thought terculture social movements that developed, it would not be wise to press the matter at particularly in the United States and Europe this time. Nevertheless, commission mem­ in the 1960s, continuing into the early 70s. bers interviewed believed that the shift in .. The feminist demand for sexual equality viewpoint was an important indication of was translated into a demand for ordina­ the effects of the process of educating peo­ tion. " (In fact, the question of ordaining ple on the issues involved. women ministers was first raised in the The change in attitude in the commission Adventist Church before the tum of the cen­ was the result of three days of discussion and tury, when a recommendation for women's Volume 16, Number 2 37 ordination was made in 1881, though it tion, said Neal Wilson during one session, apparently was never adopted.) Commission is "untenable. We cannot stay as we member Marsha Frost, pastor of the Fair­ are ... There must be movement for- fax, Virginia, church in the Potomac Con­ ward ... It is immoral how we are currently ference, responded that women pastors, handling this situation." who she said are not seeking ordination now, are motivated by their conviction of hile it is often said that the being called into God's work rather than by W ordination of women is their feminism or women's rights. being held back by the world church, those opposed to women's ordination also argue obert Coy, a lay member of that the church does not have an explicit Rthe Potomac Conference biblical basis for ordination. The studies that executive committee who was not on the followed the Mohaven Conference in 1973 General Conference commission, said, "We showed a broad consensus among scholars don't believe this is a feminist issue, though that the Bible and the writings of Ellen the question of equality is clearly involved. White do not prohibit the ordination of Our primary reason for supporting an women. In reaction to the Camp Mohaven expanded role for women in ministerial papers, the Biblical Research Institute work is our firm belief that it will have an requested position papers with "balancing" overall beneficial impact on the church. We viewpoints, which have resurrected theolog­ have already seen women who have served ical questions. Three papers (by George with great ability and strength in our con­ Reid; Brian Ball, president of Avondale Col­ ference, and we feel ready to move for­ lege; and George Stevany, president of the ward. " He also reiterated that Potomac Swiss French Conference) against ordination Conference is not asking for ordination of and two supporting it (by Wilmore Eva, women at this point, but rather for an associate director of the ministerial­ authorization for women in pastoral roles to stewardship department of Potomac Confer­ perform the same ministerial functions­ ence; and Louis Venden, pastor of the Lorna inlcuding baptism-as men in an identical Linda University Church) were given to the role. commission prior to the meeting. The topic of the functions of licensed George Reid wrote in his paper introduc­ ministers apparently caused some confusion ing materials distributed to the commission: in the commission, particularly among over­ , 'All sides agree there is no direct discussion seas representatives. The action to grant in the Bible of the ordination of women, for ministerial licenses to unordained seminary the practice is unknown to scripture. For graduates, allowing them to perform bap­ that reason, those who argue positions do tism and marriages in the United States, was so because of their convictions on the way taken by the General Conference ten years they understand God acts [and] how we are ago in order to allow unordained ministers to interpret biblical passages and themes. " to claim certain tax deductions. Outside of Reid characterizes theologians who' 'under­ North America, the policy has not changed; took the project of reinterpreting the scrip­ ministers do not perform these duties before tures and theology" in response to the ordination. Therefore, baptizing by women growth of the ordination issue as "revisionist is not an issue in divisions outside of North theologians," in contrast to the' 'tradition­ America. It has become an issue in North alists" who support the historic restriction America because women are allowed to against women's ordination, as set forth by attend the seminary and are given pastoral what he calls the doctrine of divine order, positions but are restricted from performing which teaches functional subordination of baptisms and weddings. The church's posi- women. He and the other authors of papers 38 Spectrum opposing ordination, all warned that if pared to move forward on the issue at this women are ordained the Adventist Church time. Wilson and other leaders have asked for may well next have to deal with demands a convincing theological argument before they for ordination by homosexuals. None of the take the concept before the world church. _ new study papers are currently available to Still, many believe that the church is mov­ the Adventist membership (the Mohaven ing inexorably toward eventual ordination papers are available from the General Con­ of women. In the short term, Robert Coy ference Biblical Research Institute for $10.) believes that with the strong, progressive Because of these rooted differences of leadership of Charles Bradford and the_ sup­ opinion and the lack of a clearly understood port of Neal Wilson, there is a reasonably scriptural mandate supporting ordination of good chance that North America will in women, Wilson felt-and the commission as 1985 provide a greater role-though short of a whole agreed-that the church is not pre- ordination-for its women pastors. Newsletter of the Association of Adventist Forums June 1985 Advisory Council Chairlllan, Invites Benefactors, Sponsors by Robin Vandermolen

ith 105 members, the Spectrum Members are those who donate $100 per year. W Advisory Council has reached its They are entitled to one year's free subscription largest size yet. The growth has come steadily. (five issues) of Spectrum along with one copy of However, more members are needed if thousands a book published by the Association of Adventist of potential new readers are to receive materials Forums. However, these individuals are not mem­ introducing them to Spectrum. bers of the Advisory Council. No matter how hefty a ticket price you pay to Sponsors are those who pledge $1,500 over a attend your local symphony orchestra concert, your three-year period, payable either as a lump sum, orchestra probably could not exist without finan­ or in installments. These donors are listed on Spec­ cial subsidy. Likewise for your local art museum. trum's back cover, and will automatically become Similarly for public television. The best and most members of the Spectrum Advisory Council, upon vital aspects of American culture exist because of receipt of the first $250 of their pledge. They also the generosity of philanthropists. receive three years of Spectrum mailed by priority At one time it was thought that if Spectrum mailing immediately after publication. They could attain an optimal number of subscribers, it receive one copy of all books published by the Asso­ could be self-supporting. It is now recognized that ciation of Adventist Forums. Spectrum, along with many other small specialty Benefactors are those who pledge $3,000 over journals, will always need financial backing from a three-year period, payable either as a lump sum loyal supporters. or as installments. They are eligible for all the Spectrum has emerged as a strong component benefits listed above for donors, but in addition in the nurturing of our Adventist academic, profes­ will receive two free registration tickets to any con­ sional and intellectual community. Outside of large ference sponsored by the Association of Adventist Adventist metropolitan and college churches, lit­ Forums. tle is done to keep this group stimulated, informed The listing of the donors on the back cover of and involved. Spectrum fills a vital role in its out­ Spectrum has become an important symbol. The reach to this community. list of names not only honors the major financial Every dollar spent in nuturing the professional contributors to the journal, but demonstrates the group within our church is multiplied many times strength of support that Spectrum enjoys within over, because this group, if retained within the the Adventist community. church ranks, will give back so much in terms of Please mail your contributions to: Box 5330, future leadership and support. We solicit your con­ Takoma Park, Maryland 20912. tributions to Spectrum. At a recent meeting of the Executive Board of Robin Vandermolen. an anesthesiologist at the Glen­ the Association of Adventist Forums, three groups dale Adventist Hospital. is the chairman of the Spec­ of contributors were formalized: Contributing trum Advisory Council. From Polls to China Visitors--­ A Year at the An in Chapter

by Alice Holst

uring the 1984-1985 school year Protestants-including Adventists-have begun D the AAF chapter at Angwin, meeting each week for worship services California, has had monthly meetings with 100-200 people in attendance. The chapter is under the Women in Ministry direction of Richard Hughes, Ph.D., chairperson; , ,women in the Ministry: Past, Margaret Huse, M.D., associate chairperson; and Present, and Future" was the Alice Holst, Ed.D., secretary-treasurer. Speakers topic addressed in February by Becky Lacy, M. have included visitors to and members of the Div., associate pastor of the Corona, California, Pacific Union College faculty. church. Pastor Lacy gave a brief history of the important leadership roles held by women during Truth-No Trivial Pursuit our church's history. During the 1950s and n May, Ted W. Benedict, Ph.D., onward, despite increasing church membership, I professor of communication, San participation by women in church administration Jose State University, spoke on "Truth-No Trivial at all levels has decreased significantly and inex­ Pursuit." During 17 years as a professor at Pacific plicably. Interest is rising now to change this sit­ Union College and 20 years at San Jose State uation. Several women, who like Pastor Lacy University, Benedict's area of special academic received graduate degrees in theology from interest and concern has been persuasion. His lec­ Andrews University, currently occupy positions as ture reviewed the most familiar modes of reason­ associate pastors. ing, analyzed their weaknesses, and suggested that She drew attention to the frustration felt by far more concern should be shown for procedural women pastors with training and experience equal integrity in the search for truth than is commonly to male colleagues at not being able to perform found in the church. all the duties of pastors because they lack ordina­ In April, Roy Branson, Ph.D., editor of Spec­ tion. Although they counsel couples and prepare trum, official journal of the Association of Adven­ candidates for baptism, women pastors cannot per­ tist Forums and senior research fellow at the form either marriages or baptisms. Kennedy Institute of Ethics in Washington, D.C., Also, their inability to become chaplains, which presented a discussion entitled "Adventist requires ordination, is a serious limitation to serv­ Identity-New Directions." He pointed out that ice which, she feels, is greatly needed in military there has been a traditional point of view in inter­ and public hosptitals. preting many aspects of biblical teachings from an At the January meeting, Larry Mitchel, Th.D., Adventist perspective that take on legalistic or associate professor of religion at Pacific Union Col­ covenant overtones. He pointed out that the same lege, surveyed the past decade of archeological biblical teachings, (e.g. the Sabbath and sanctu­ activity in Syria and Palestine. The past ten years ary) could be viewed in other motifs with equal have not produced any major revolutions in dat­ validity and with possibly refreshing new implica­ ing, Mitchel explained, but our understanding of tions. The two motifs suggested were a "holy war" certain transition periods such as Early Bronze IV or "conflict" setting and a "glory due to God's has certainly improved. presence" setting. A discussion followed the Major new finds inIcude: (1) the large tablet col­ presentation. lection from Elba, (2) probably the earliest arched An unexpected surprise was the introduction of gate in Palestine, and (3) a very large neolithic vil­ Pastor Hsu Hua who was the head of the Seventh­ lage on the outskirts of Amman, Jordan. day Adventist church in China when Mao Tse The Methodist Heritage of Adventism Tung installed the People's Republic of China. From that time he spent most of his years until n December, Greg Schneider, associ­ 1979 either in jail or under house arrest. He came I ate professor of behavorial science at to the United States with his wife to visit their rela­ Pacific Union College, discussed "The Methodist tives. Hsu Hua reported that since 1979 many Heritage of Adventism." He drew on his own research to suggest forms of religiosity that Adven­ tism has in common with early American ON THE ROAD WITH Methodism. First, formal organization and a stress on the church as an instrument rather than a sys­ WALTER DOUGLAS tem of theological doctrine is shared by the two traditions. Secondly, Schneider suggested that by Claire Hosten Ellen White's use of the phrase "experimental religion," as well as her concern for perfection der­ The Director of Chapter Development for the ived from her Methodist background. Association of Adventist Forums, Walter Douglas, Thirdly, Methodists, as their name suggests, professor of church history and mission, Andrews were methodical. In revival technique, in pastoral University, has been busy encouraging and reviv­ care, in teaching members how to tell their per­ ing current chapters, as well as starting new sonal experiences, the Methodists had clear and groups. demanding guidelines. Adventist revivalism reflects On the first weekend in June, Douglas visited these methods. With the pragmatic concern for the Toronto Chapter. The previous month, on May method and results, come also a certain anti­ 18, he helped Karl and Ken Walters, a depart­ intellectualism. Within this philosophy, education ment chairman at the California State College to is valued for the respectability and usefulness it start the San Luis Obispo, California, chapter. affords but not for learning's own sake. Norman Sassong, a physician at Angwin, Califor­ Finally, the ways of organizing experience that nia, and regional representative of the central the two traditions have in common involve a psy­ Pacific region, was instrumental in arranging chological split between the new and the old nature Douglas' visit. The chapter is comprised largely and a social split between church and world. This of college and university students. way of viewing the world is especially reflected in Douglas indicates that as director of chapter the ideology of the family as a haven in a heart­ development he has several goals. More university less world. students should be attracted to AAF. He is writ­ ing to local chapter presidents in university areas The Visible and Invisible Church requesting that they send him names of students. More weekend retreats should be held by chap­ ack Provonsha, director of the center ters to get students more involved in the church J for Christian bioethics at Lorna and the Association of Adventist Forums. Organi­ Linda University, discussed in November, 1983, zation of regional seminars is also needed. A suc­ the difference between God's visible and invisible cessful seminar held recently at Andrews University church. Although the two overlap, he said, they is an example. are not identical. One cannot precisely identify Chapter officers, regional representatives, or God's invisible church. anyone else interested in starting a chapter may Since Baby Fae had died immediately prior to contact Walter Douglas, Andrews University, the meeting, Dr. Provonsha also explored the ethi­ Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103. His home tele­ cal implications of that case. The audience's ques­ phone is (616) 471-7107. tions concerning Baby Fae occupied the entire discussion period. Claire Hosten, an attorney. is the executive secretary At the October meeting, H. Roger Bothwell, of the Association of Adventist Forums. senior pastor of the College church reported the results of a questionnaire given to the approxi­ mately 100 students in the "Life and Teachings NOTICE FOR of Jesus" class at Pacific Union College. The survey is taken at the beginning of the AAF NOMINATIONS school year and again at the end to see if students Before the annual AAF Board meeting, change their minds. One of the results of the sur­ Labor Day weekend, nominations of rep­ vey shows is that a year at Pacific Union College resentatives on the board for the Central, does make a difference in the sprirtual attitudes Central Pacific, Columbia, and Lake regions of the students. must be received in the AAF office by Examples of the questions are: (a) Are you a August 23. Christian? (b) When would you choose for the Lord Nominations must include: a signed to come, and why? (c) Would you be saved if Jesus statement of the nominee's willingness to came today? (d) What would you give in exchange serve, ten signatures of support by AAF for your soul? . members living in the region, and a short description of the nominee's qualifications. Alice Holst is secretary of the Angwin Chapter. Chapter News !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! by Claire Hosten

In Denver, Colorado approximately 7S people Adventist Forum chapter. His topic was "Women met March 23 to organize a local chapter of AAF. and the Church." A pot-luck lunch was served The name Denver Area Chapter was chosen in between the morning and afternoon sessions. anticipation of participation from Boulder, The San Joaquin Valley Chapter, in California, Colorado Springs, and other neighboring cities. heard Lorna and Gus Tobler May 17 and 18. The In addition to choosing a name, a constitution Toblers have been actively involved in denomina­ was approved, pending AAF Executive Commit­ tional work for nearly 2S years. He is an Adven­ tee ratification. Officers elected to serve the new tist minister who served as editor at several chapter include Ed Gallagher, president; Lois Just, Seventh-day Adventist publishing houses, and she vice president; Jane Nielson, secretary treasurer; has been employed by various Seventh-day Adven­ Diana Bauer, publicity secretary; and three mem­ tist organizations, most recently the Pacific Press bers at large: Keith Kendall, Mary Jane Publishing Association. McConaughy, and Richard YukI. The Toblers related their experiences in the As a new chapter, a wide range of possibilities Pacific Press case and shared their responses to for topics exists. Ordination of women, current the personal crises this produced. They suggested issues at the seminary, and the Shroud are sub­ possible ways of dealing on a personal level with jects likely to be addressed by the new chapter in such conflicts and differences within the church the near future. organization. (See Lorna Tobler's article "A The Greater New York Chapter in May, heard Reformer's Vision: The Church As a Fellowship Ron Lawson, professor of sociology at Queens of Equals," in this issue of Spectrum, pp. 18-23) College and former president of the chapter, review The San Diego Chapter, in California, heard the progress of his research into the sociology of Charles Tee!, Jr., Ph.D., chairperson of the Adventism. He has traveled by car across the Department of Religious Ethics at Loma Linda United States, conducting scores of interviews with University, speak in May on "Liberation and denominational and lay leaders. He will be spend­ Evangelism-Logging a Passage Through Central ing another year traveling in Australia, Asia, America." Africa and Europe. He said the Seventh-day Adventist commitment In March, the chapter, among other events, held to take the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue a worship recital by an organ major at the Julliard and people has placed the church in unique and School of Music, B. Bush, and heard Rev. Richard often times bewildering positions. Traditional Dietz, director of interfaith activities for the Fel­ North American Adventist avoidance of political lowship of Reconciliation, discuss "The Christian movements has posed curious problems. Central and Peace." America, he pointed out, serves as a near-to-home In February, James Londis, senior pastor of showcase in which the mission of the church has Sligo Seventh-day Adventist church, participated had to meet governments and social structures in an all-day meeting of the Greater New York head-on.

For your Information: Adventist Forum Regional Representatives

Atlantic Region Southern Region Northern Pacific Region John Hamer Jr. Grace Emori John Brunt c/o Digital Equipment Corp. 2502 Asbury Court Walla Walla College 75 Reed Road Decatur GA 30033 College Place W A 99324 Hudson MA 01749 Tel. (404) 325-0360 (h) Tel. (509) 529-8114 (h) Tel. (617) 568-5244 (0) (404) 329-3518 (0) (509) 527-2194 (0)

Columbia Region Central Region Southern Pacific Region Theodore Agard Darrel Huenergardt Mike Scofield Radiology Department O'Brien, Huenergardt & Cook 720 S. Webster, #112 Kettering Medical Center Attorneys at Law Anaheim CA 92804 3737 Southern Boulevard 109 South Walnut Tel. (714) 828-1348 Kettering OH 45429 Box 490 (714) 680-2212 Tel. (513) 434-0045 (h) Kimball NE 69145 (513) 298-4331 (0) Tel. (308) 235-4217 (h) (308) 235-3617 (0) More Persecution of Soviet Adventists

by Oxana Antic

he campaign in the Soviet leaders of the sect are striving to tum T press against Reform religion into a 'curtain of fire,' an 'instru­ Adventists-members of the unregistered ment of psychological warfare.'" He All-Union Church of True and Free Seventh­ describes in detail how Shelkov is supposed day Adventists-which has been going on to have beaten and tortured his grown-up for some years, appears to be reaching its children. He repeats again and again that culmination. Komsomol' skaya pravda, one of Shelkov is "a facist toady, " "a Nazi accom­ the newspapers that regularly publishes arti­ plice, " "a traitor, " and so on. Only in pass­ cles fulminating against the unregistered ing does he mention that, after allegedly Adventists, recently published a long two­ staging a mock funeral, "the falsifier really part article by Boris Chekhonin entitled does die." One charge that Chekhonin "Who Do the 'Living Christs' Serve?"l levels against the unregistered Adventists is In the first part of the article, Chekhonin, that they have become "a real Jesuit Mafia" who is a political commentator for TASS, and, as a result, "the needy and those with describes a visit he made to the home of V. many children were refused help. " He con­ Vasil'chenko, an Adventist who had been veniently ignores the fact that Soviet reli­ arrested, in the company of a senior inves­ gious legislation categorically forbids tigator of the Tashkent Public Prosecutor's religious organizations to engage in any Office. The investigator showed the jour­ charitable activities. nalist the basement of the house, which con­ Adventists of the True Remnant, as adher­ tained equipment used by the unregistered ents of the All-Union Church of True and Adventists to print their publication, Vernyi Free Seventh-day Adventists are sometimes Svifetel' (The True Witness). known, are one of the religious groups most The second part of the article deals mainly persecuted in the Soviet Union. This group with Vladimir Shelkov, the chairman of the broke away from the official Adventist unregistered Adventists who died on Janu­ organization in 1924, when the Fifth All­ ary 27, 1980, at the age of 84 in a strict­ Russian Congress of Seventh-day Adventists regime labor camp in Yakutia. Chekhonin addressed a pledge of loyalty to the USSR speaks of Shelkov as though he were still Central Executive Committee. Prior to that, alive and at liberty today. He writes, for the Adventists had been opposed to the example: "She1kov, his accomplices the October Revolution, which they regarded brothers A.I. and M.I. Murkin, and other "the banner of the Antichrist. " Despite the pledge of loyalty, the officially recognized Adventists, like other churches, suffered ter­ Oxana Antic is a European correspondent for Radio Free EuropelRadio Liberty, for whose staff this report ribly under Stalin, subsequently being was originally prepared. deprived of their central organization. 40 Spectrum

hile the unregistered Adven­ The first of them, by A. Grigor' ev, deals W tists are the target of a with Sheldov's son, also named Vladimir. vicious campaign of denigration in the press, The younger Shelkov went on trial before it is worth noting that even the factual infor­ the Kattakurgan People' s Court in Samar­ mation about Adventists in the Soviet Union kand Oblast in March or April 1984. and was that was to be found, for example, in the sentenced to five years in strict-regime 1964 edition of the Shorter Scientific Diction­ camps on a charge of speculating in spare ary of Atheism, 2 is missing from the 1984 edi­ parts for cars and motorcycles. While tion of the Dictionary of Atheism. 3 In fact, the Grigor'ev describes the defendant as a later work contains no separate entry at all "grabber" and "speculator," Shelkov him­ on Adventists in the Soviet Union. self stated several times during the trial that There would seem to be no term of abuse he was being persecuted for his faith: "I am that the press has not used to describe the a believer; that's why I'm being hounded. leading members of the All-Union Church I'm suffering for my faith. They did the same of True and Free Seventh-day Adventists. thing to my father. ' , They have been called "swindlers," "ob­ The second artricle described a visit the scurantists," "traitors," "rabble," "para­ author made with an investigator to see sites" and "criminals." Pravda Vostoka, for another Adventist, Ivan Cheremisov, in the example, published a series of three articles prison where he was being held. Cheremisov entitled respectively, "The Maestro of the too said that he was being victimized by the 'True Remnant,' ., "The Parasite from the authorities because he was a believer. 'True Remnant,' ., and "The Swindler Cheremisov is accused of violating the Ten Brethren form the 'True Remnant.' "4 Commandments in his way of life and even

Spectrum Readers Respond To Amnesty. International by Charles Teel, Jr.

any letters of support for Soviet Independent of any government political faction, M Adventist Arsenty Stepanovich economic interest or religious creed, Amnesty Inter­ Matsyuk were secured from Spectrum readers in national was the recipient of the 1977 Nobel Peace response to a letter to the editor posted by an Prize. The organization is comprised of 250,000 Amnesty International Group and published in the volunteers in more than 130 countries whose chief Vol. 12, No.4 issue of Spectrum. activity is to write letters to government officials on Matsyuk was arrested by Soviet authorities July 17, behalf of "prisioners of conscience" whose cases 1980, in the Zhitomir region of the Ukraines, have been researched by Amnesty's secretarial staff. presumably for passing out literature expressing (To qualify as an Amnesty prisoner of conscience it beliefs deemed inappropriate by his government. He must be documented that an individual has neither is a member of the True and Free Seventh-day Ad­ employed nor advocated violence and has been ventists, a nonconforming branch of Russian imprisoned for expressing his religious or political Adventism. beliefs.) "I would estimate that between three and four Should Spectrum readers wish to be alerted to the hundred signatures were gathered as a result of an existence of an Amnesty group near them, they can appeal to Spectrum, " noted Kim McKormie, a mem­ write: Amnesty International, National Section ber of Amnesty's Adoption Group assigned to Office, 304 58th Street, New York, NY 10019. register support for Matsyuk. "In addition to our Spectrum contributors we collected hundreds of sig­ Charles Teel, Jr., is chairman of the department of natures ourselves and also from Amnesty groups Christian Ethics, Lorna Linda University. across the country." Volume 16, Number 2 41 in his conversation with the journalist, who parts of the USSR. Not long ago, Sovetskaya presents the conclusion of the visit in par­ Moldviya complained about the situation in ticularly colorful terms: the village of Gura-Galbenei, where mem­ , 'Just for a second, the mask of good bers of the local Adventist congregation nature left the thin face with its high cheek­ , 'even asked for a special school to be started bones; the eyes flashed, and a spark of rag­ for the children of believers that would open ing fury swept towards me from the corner on Sundays."7 (The Adventists observe of the cell. I am sure he wanted to violate Saturday as a day of prayer and have fre­ another commandment-the sixth." quently applied to the authorities to have To judge from its tone, the article is their children freed from school on that directed primarily at religious readers, par­ day,) ticularly unregistered Adventists, and aims There are also congregations of unregis­ to discredit Cheremisov in their eyes by re­ tered Adventists in Georgia. Several years vealing his alleged violations of all the Ten ago, Zarya Vostoka published an article Commandments. Cheremisov was also men­ about a court case involving two women tioned in an article in Kosomol' ets members of an unregistered Adventist group Uzbekistana, which states that, when in Tbilisi. 8 Similar groups are to be found charged with stealing a car, "he did not even in Chernigov Oblast, on the Don, in Lenin­ confess his guilt during the triaL" 5 grad, and in Vinnitsa Oblast. Everywhere Despite the laconic statement in the Dic­ they are persecuted. At the beginning of last tionary of Atheism that' 'the total number of year, a petition signed by 378 Adventists followers of Adventism in our country is accusing the Soviet government of "geno­ now relatively small, "6 it would appear even cide against believers" was received by the from articles in the press that congregations International Society for Human Rights. 9 of unregistered Adventists exist in many

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Komsomol'skaya pravda, October 4 and 5, 1984. 2. Kratkii nauchno-ateistichesky slovar' , Moscow, 5. Komsomolets Uzbekistana, August 1, 1984. 1964, pp. 12-13. 6. Ateistichesky slovar', op. cit. p. 10. 3. Ateistichesky slovar' , Moscow, 1984, pp. 9-10. 7. Sovetskaya Moldaviya, July 15, 1984. 4. Pravda Vostoka, April 17, April 20, and June 15, 8. Zarya Vostoka, July 2, 1981. 1984. 9. Ostkirchliche Infromationen, January 1983, p. 7. Landmark Right-To-Die Case at the Glendale Adventist Medical Center

by Kent A. Hansen

illiam Bartling wanted to This ruling climaxed an intense battle over W live. But he did not want to Bartling's right to terminate his artificial life be hooked up to the machine at Glendale support, which began in April 1984 when (California) Adventist Medical Center that Bartling entered the medical center suffer­ kept him alive by breathing for him. When ing from several ailments. The 70-year-old his doctors at the medical center refused to retired dental supply salesman had a history turn off the machine, Bartling sued, of depression, alcoholism, emphysema, demanding that the court order the machine arteriosclerosis, angina, and an aneurysm in turned off. his abdomen. After hospitalization, his phy­ The result of this dispute turned into a sicians noted a possible lesion on his lung major medical-legal controversy over the and performed a needle biopsy, discovering right of a patient to choose to die, with an inoperable lung cancer. The biopsy national media exposure given to the medi­ caused his lung to collapse, and while cal center's ethics and medical practices. The attempting to repair it, his physicians placed final court decision was one of the most sig­ Bartling on an artificial ventilator to aid his nificant yet on the right of people to resist breathing. heroic medical measures. Confined to the intensive-care unit, receiv­ Bartling died Nov. 7, 1984, 23 hours ing food and water through tubes, and before the California Court of Appeals heard dependent on the ventilator, Bartling was his case. The court ruled anyway, in order despondent. Several times he tried to pull to provide guidelines for future cases, stat­ out the ventilator tubes, and his physicians ing that "[t]he right of a competent adult tied his wrists with' 'soft restraints." patient to refuse medical treatment is a con­ In mid-May 1984 Bartling indicated his stitutional right which must not be desire to be removed from the ventilator, abridged. " 1 The court held that this even though he understood this would prob­ patient's right outweighed a "prime concern ably mean his death. His wife Ruth hired to Glendale Adventist ... that it is a Chris­ leading patients' -rights attorney Richard tian, pro-life oriented hospital, the majority Scott to assist in getting the ventilator turned of whose doctors would view disconnecting off. a life support system in a case such as this Scott prepared, and Bartling signed with one as inconsistent with the healing orien­ an "X," a document releasing the physi­ tation of physicians."2 cians of the medical center from any civillia­ bility reSUlting from disconnecting the Kent A. Hansen is an attorney in Corona, California. ventilator and a "living will" explaining Volume 16, Number 2 43

Bartling's wish not to be kept alive by frantically gestured to nurses to replace the "medications, artificial means, or heroic ventilator tube when it had been removed measures. ' , from his throat for cleaning. What happened next is in dispute. Scott 2. The interest of the state in preserving says that Bartling's physician agreed to turn life outweighed Bartling's desire to die. off the ventilator if GMAC administrators 3. The professional, ethical, and moral agreed, and that the administrators first integrity of the hospital and its physicians agreed but then changed their minds. The would be compromised if they were ordered Glendale Adventist Medical Center attor­ to facilitate Bartling's death. ney, William Ginsburg, says that the medi­ 4. Even though removing him from the cal center and the physicians have always ventilator at that time would kill him, refused to terminate life support. The Bartling's physicians believed he could be spokesman for the medical center, James R. "weaned" from the ventilator, taught to Gallagher, says Bartling's request would breathe on his own again, and could have have been honored if it had been "consis­ one to three years of normal life remaining. tent, clear, and unambiguous." 5. Bartling's mood shifts and depression When his request was refused, Bartling made "questionable" his ability to make and his wife sued in Los Angeles County medical decisions regarding his treatment. Superior Court, seeking $15,000 per day in damages for unwanted medical treatment and $10 million in punitive damages in a Media attention to the case became companion civil suit, charging civil-rights intense. The 60 Minutes story was nation­ violations and battery. ally broadcast in October. On October 29 the Phil Donahue Show featured the case. he Glendale Adventist Medi­ T cal Center aggressively On June 6, 1984, Bartling lost his attempt defended the suit. In a June 7, 1984, press to get a temporary injunction, and a hear­ release on the case, Glendale Adventist ing date of June 22, 1984, was set for a per­ Medical Center said, "to honor his manent injunction. By this time, reporter [Bartling's] request to turn off life support Mike Wallace and a film crew for the CBS systems at this time would put the Medical program "60 Minutes" were on the story. Center in the position of abetting suicide They taped and later televised a deposition and would be a violation of moral and ethi­ taken by attorneys for Bartling and for cal principles which the hospital and medi­ Glendale Adventist Medical Center in the cal staff are dedicated to uphold." intensive-care unit, in preparation for the In opposing Bartling's request for an court hearing. Scott intended to use the injunction turning off the ventilator, the deposition to show that Bartling was com­ medical center argued several points: petent and capable of making the decision to turn off the ventilator. The transcript of 1. Bartling was ambivalent on the issue, the deposition is as follows: inconsistently expressing a desire to live and Scott: "Mr. Bartling, we are now going to a desire to die. The hospital's attorney noted do this deposition which I have explained that Bartling liked to eat ice cream, watch to you this morning. Do you understand football games, and "ogle" nurses. He had that you have no obligation to tell the truth? mentioned to his nurse that his wife was Yes? You need to nod your head so this girl , 'crazy" when the nurse described the over here can see you. Mr. Bartling, do you nature of the suit his wife had brought to want to live? (Yes,) Do you want to continue end his care. The hospital also presented evi­ living on that ventilator? (No,) Do you dence that Bartling had on several occasions understand that if that ventilator is taken 44 Spectrum away that you might die? (Yes.) All right, I Attorney Scott appeared on the program. have no further questions. ' , Stung by criticism of its position on the Ginsburg: ' 'Mr. Bartling, are you satisfied "Donahue" show, the medical center issued with the care that the nurses have been giv­ a three-page press release in rebuttal. Glen­ ing you here at Glendale? (Yes.) That's a yes. dale Adventist Medical Center denied And have they been nice to you? (Yes,) And charges by Mrs. Bartling that it kept an you're not in any pain, are you? (No,) And armed guard at the door of Bartling's room, you don't want to die, do you? (No,) You continually held Bartling in wrist restraints, understand that if that ventilator is removed had profited financially from Bartling's med­ that you might die? (Yes.) I have no further· ical condition, had refused consistent questions. " End of tape. End of deposition. requests by Bartling to turn off the ventila­ Following the June 22, 1984, Superior tor, and had refused to allow Bartling to be Court hearing, and another hearing in July, discharged or transferred to another facility. Judge Lawrence Waddington denied On November 6, 1984, at 2:40 p.m., the Bartling's request, stating he believed the day before the appeals hearing, Bartling died physicians who said he would live up to of emphysema. In the press release three more years if he was gradually weaned announcing Bartling's death, medical center from the ventilator . Waddington ruled that vice president Glen Detlor said, "We believe California law permitted cutting off life­ the medical professions should seek to support systems only for comatose, termi­ nally ill patients whose doctors approve. 3 The Court of Appeal held that the right cott appealed Judge Wadding­ of a competent adult to refuse medical Ston's decision to the California treatment is constitutionally guaranteed Court of Appeals. He also tried to arrange and outweighs the interests of the hospi­ a transfer of Bartling to a medical facility tal and doctors in giving treatment. that would allow him to disconnect himself from the ventilator. The transfer attempts uphold and strengthen a commitment to were unsuccessful, apparently because other life. That is what we tried to do during Mr. hospitals were afraid of being sued and Bartling's hospitalization." Bartling's Medicare benefits were nearly The next day, the attorneys argued the exhausted.4 According to Gallagher, the case before a three-member panel of the costs of Bartling's hospital care amounted Court of Appeals. Both sides argued that the to $1,070 per day and eventually totaled court should rule even though Bartling was $540,000. However, the medical center was already dead, to "formulate guidelines limited by law to collection of less than which might prevent a reoccurence of the $40,000 in Medicare benefits for Bartling. tragedy that befell Mr. Bartling." In July, Bartling's physicians attempted to wean him from the ventilator, taking him n December 27, 1984, the off the machine for intermittent periods of O court announced its ruling, a up to five hours. The attempts were unanimous opinion, written by Justice James unsuccessful. Hastings. The court concluded that: Media attention to the case became , 'Mr. Bartling knew he would die if the intense while the parties waited for the ventilator were disconnected but neverthe­ Court of Appeals to hear the case. less preferred death to life sustained by The "60 Minutes" story on the case was mechanical means. He wanted to live but nationally broadcast in October. On Octo­ preferred death to his intolerable life on the ber 29, 1984, the "Phil Donahue Show" fea­ ventilator. ' '5 tured the case, and Mrs. Bartling and In a sweeping statement of law, the court Volume 16, Number 2 45 then held that the right of a competent adult supporting the patient and relieving the hos­ to refuse medical treatment is constitution­ pital of liability. Why the medical center ally guaranteed and outweighs the interests opposed Bartling's wishes, he said, "is really of the hospital and doctors in giving treat­ the $64,000 question."8 ment. The court stated: In a scathing criticism of the trial court's "We do not doubt the sincerity of. .. decision denying Bartling's request, pub­ [Glendale Adventist Medical Center and the lished in The Hastings Center Report, Annas physicians'] moral and ethical beliefs, or the wrote: sincere belief in the position they have taken The case illustrates how fear of liability can in this case. However, if the right of the cause a hospital to alter its traditional role patient to self-determination as to his own of offering services to willing patients, into medical treatment is to have any meaning one of forcing treatment on unwilling at all, it must be paramount to the interests patients. It also illustrates how physicians, of the patient's hospital and doctors."6 hospital administrators, and even judges can The court also ruled that the Glendale see themselves as responsible for the actions Adventist Medical Center and Bartling's of a competent patient, and how their physicians would not have been civilly or ambivalence about the patient's decision can criminally liable for carrying out his request cause them to compromise or abdicate their social roles to the patient's profound detriment. 9 All five of the physicians attending Bartling said that if he had not already died, they would have refused to carry out na graphic rebuttal to Annas' the court order to terminate the life sup­ I criticism, prepared for The Hast­ port, even if it meant they would be ings Center Report, William Ginsburg, the punished for contempt of court. attorney for the medical center, said that Annas was advocating euthanasia against a and removing the ventilator. As to the argu­ patient's will or in the presence of ambiva­ ment by Bartling's physicians that turning lence without consideration of the rights of off the machine would have been "tanta­ medical personnel' 'who must participate in mount to aiding a suicide," the court stated: the killing process. ' ,10 Ginsburg argued that "This is not a case. . . where hhe medical it would be tragic if the law compelled turn­ center and the physicians] would have ing off life support when the patient is still brought about Mr. Bartling's death by unsure whether he wants it turned off. "lIlt unnatural means by discontinuing the ven­ is a tragic thought to imagine a physician tilator. Rather, they would have hastened disconnecting the ventilator watching Bill his inevitable death by natural causes."7 Bartling asphyxiate or tumble into shock or The Glendale Adventist Medical Center heart failure, frantically gesturing for the received criticism for its stance in the case ventilator to be replaced and the physician even before the Court of Appeals ruling. saying, sorry, Bill, you signed a George Annas, an attorney and ethicist with declaration.' "11 the Boston University Schools of Medicine The medical center initially considered and Public Health, who helped write the appealing the decision to the California brief supporting Bartling's position, was Supreme Court. It later reconsidered and quoted by the American Medical News as say­ asked for a rehearing by the Court of ing that the medical center had taken an Appeals in the hope of obtaining a ruling unusual position. He noted that most hospi­ that private hospitals could transfer ambiva­ tals side with the patient in life-support ter­ lent terminally ill patients to public institu­ mination cases, asking for an order tions if life-support systems were to be cut 46 Spectrum off. Gallagher, spokesman for the medical Gallagher said that the convening of a hos­ center, said this would place responsibility pital ethics committee to consider the mat­ for carrying out court orders on ter might have proved helpful. Such government-paid personnel. The medical committees involving physicians, ethicists, center later dropped the request. clergy and attorneys are increasingly recom­ The ability to transfer such a patient was mended by ethicists and some attorneys as a forum for resolving difficult moral ques­ important to the Glendale Adventist Medi­ cal Center, according to Gallagher, because tions posed by the use of sophisticated med­ ical technology to artificially support life. all five of the physicians attending Bartling The medical center did not explain its rea­ said that if he had not already died, they would have refused to carry out the court sons for not using such a committee. George Annas maintains that such a committee order to terminate the life support, even if could have been' 'helpful and decisive" and it meant they would be punished for con­ might have kept the case out of court. 12 tempt of court. The Bartling case certainly illustrates the When asked if the medical center would issues such hospital ethics committees will have done anything differently in retrospect, face in the future.

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Bartling'l'. Superior Court, 163 Cal.App.3d 186, 8. "Key Ruling Awaited on Terminating Treat­ at 195 (1984), ment," American Medical News (December 7, 1984), 2. Ibid. pp. 1, 61-63. 3. Boyer, "Rights of the Dying Expanded: Patients 9. Annas, "Prisoner in the ICU: The Tragedy of Can Refuse Treatment, Court Says." Los Angeles William Bartling," The Hastings Center Report Times (December 28, 1984), Sec. 1, pp. I, 3. (December 1984), pp. 28, 29. 4. Smith, "Life Support: Seriously III Man Being 10. Ginsburg, "The Real Tragedy of William F. Weaned Off Respirator While Legal Battle Goes On." Bartling: A Lack of Understanding, " manuscript for Glendale News-Press, (July 6, 1984), Part A. p. 1. The Hastings Center Report, (written January 1985), 5. Bartling'l'. Superior Court, 163 Cal.App. 3d 186, p.4. 189-190 (1984), citing Dority 'V. Superior Court, 145 11. Ibid., p. 5. Cal.App. 3d 273, 276,193 Cal.App. 288 (1983). 12. Annas, "Prisoner in the ICU: The Tragedy of 6. Ibid., p. 195. William Bartling, ' , The Hastings Center Report 7. Ibid., p. 196. (December 1984), p. 29. Shifts in Adventist Creationism

by W.W. Hughes

No enlightened Adventist ought to have a shadow of that edition was prepared, notably those of doubt that this theory. that the fossils are capable of being Harold W. Clark. Price's pamphlet, "The­ arranged off in a definite sequence for the world as a whole. is one of the' 'theories that are of Satanic origin . .• ories of Satanic Origin," directed against ... Incredible as it may seem. some Adventists are now Clark, his most illustrious student and fel­ saying that this definite order of the fossils is a fact after low Adventist professor, was elicited by the all. and that we will have to face this fact as a scientific reality and must shape our views accordingly. favorable response Clark's views were George McCready Price. receiving. Clark, still living, is today gener­ Theories of Satanic Origin. 1950 ally considered a stalwart conservative, a model of orthodoxy, and what Price would ittle did Price appreciate how consider "revolutionary" and "satanic" L true his subtle prediction ideas form the basis of the most widely used would tum out to be. Within less than three Adventist geological theory today­ decades many of the tenets of geological ecological zonation. That theory, one of sev­ science would receive general acceptance eral varying substantially from the views of within the Adventist scientific community Price, was first published by Clark in New and appear in the authoritative 1978 Seventh­ Diluvialism in the spring of 1946. 1 day Adventist Bible Commentary. Clark's contributions represent the larg­ In the half century (1900-1950) prior to the est single step taken by Adventism in under­ founding of the Geoscience Research Insti­ standing Earth history. For half a century tute, Price was the major creationist cham­ Adventist apologists viewed the presumed pion within Adventism. At a time when order of the fossil-bearing rock strata as geologists recognized order in the geologic imaginary-something invented to bolster column, thrust faults, the value of index the supposed evolutionary procession of life fossils, and continental glaciation, Price through the ages. Then, within a generation denied their existence, as did Adventists almost all of the data had been used to sup­ generally. port the' 'imaginary order" were now used When did such "theories of Satanic ori­ to support the ecological zonation theory. gin' , become acceptable to Adventism? "Infidel schemes" are no longer considered While Price's views were considered accept­ infidel. able to the editors of the 1953 edition of the Perhaps the most accurate and impressive SDA Bible Commentary, other SDA views on documentation of the significant changes in geology were also present at the time when Adventist interpretation may be seen by carefully comparing the introductory chap­ ters on science and religion in the 1953 and W.W. Hughes who received a doctorate from Lorna Linda University, is Associate Professor of Biology 1978 editions of Volume 1 of the SDA Bible at Andrews University. Commentary referred to above. The synop- 48 Spectrum sis of the two editions {see page 51} illus­ value of index or guide fossils} and continen­ trates major changes in geological tal glaciation. The basic interpretations that interpretations, most of which are a replace­ form the backbone of Price's numerous ment of Price's views by a development with books {and also his SDA Bible Commentary those proposed by Clark. article} are now almost universally rejected Two areas, therefore, that illustrate dras­ by both the Geoscience Research Institute tic changes in Adventist thinking are the staff at Lorna Linda University and other recognition of order in the geologic column Adventist geologists and biologists. Of {including the reality of thrust faults and the Price's interpretations, a short chronology

Life of George McCready Price in Outline

eorge McCready Price was born in sought his literary services. Through his numerous G eastern Canada in 1870. When his articles and books, Price significantly altered the widowed mother joined the Adventist Church, he course of fundamentalist thought, in the direction too embraced that faith. During the early 1890s, of the traditional Adventist interpretation of Genesis. young Price attended Battle Creek College in Michi­ On the eve of the Scopes trial in July 1925, in which gan for two years and subsequently completed a a high school biology teacher in Dayton, Tenn., was teacher-training course at the provincial normal found guilty of violating a state law prohibiting the school in New Brunswick. teaching of evolution in public institutions, the high­ The turn of the century found him serving as prin­ priest of fundamentalism, William Jennings Bryan, cipal of a small high schoool in an isolated part of invited Price to assist the prosecution as an expert eastern Canada, where one of his few companions witness. Price was a logical choice, being both an was a local physician. The doctor and the teacher acquaintance of Bryan's and the best-known scien­ enjoyed discussing scientific matters, and the former tist in the fundamentalist camp. Unfortunately, Price almost succeeded in making an evolutionist of his was teaching at the time in an Adventist college out­ fundamentalist friend. He was saved by prayer-and side London and could not attend the trial. Instead, by reading Mrs. White's book Patriarchs and Prophets, he wrote Bryan a letter advising him to avoid any which attributed the fossil record to the Noachian scientific arguments and to charge the evolutionists Flood. As a result of this experience, he decided on with being un-American for compelling parents to a scientific career championing what he called the pay taxes to have their child taught something that "new catastrophism. " they considered anti-Christian. By 1906, Price was living in southern California and Late in 1928, Price returned to the United States. working as a handyman at the Loma Linda Sanitar­ He came to realize by the late 1930s that he was fight­ ium. That year he published a slim volume entitled ing for a lost cause. Not only was the public losing mogical Geology: The Weakest Point in the Evolution interest in his crusade, but even his own students Theory. were beginning to defect. The most traumatic defec­ During the next 15 years, Price taught in several tion was that of Harold W. Clark, who had studied Adventist schools and authored six more books with Price and then succeeded him as professor of attacking evolution, particularly its geological foun­ geology at Pacific Union College. dation. Shortly after the fundamentalist controversy In 1941, Price filed formal heresy charges against entered its antievolution phase, Price published his Clark with the Pacific Union Conference. A commit­ New Geology, the most systematic and comprehen­ tee of leading Adventists met to investigate Price's sive of his two dozen or so books. charges, but the result proved inconclusive. Despite attacks from the scientific establishment, However, despite the rise of his students, Harold Price's influence among non-Adventist fundamen­ W. Clark and Frank Lewis Marsh, who themselves talists grew rapidly. By the mid-1920s, the editor of disagreed on the limits of speciation and the role of Science could accurately describe Price as . 'the prin­ amalgamation, Price continued to influence Adven­ cipal scientific authority of the Fundamentalists," tist science until his death in 1963 at age 93. and Price's byline was appearing with increasing fre­ quency in a broad spectrum of religious periodicals: The Sunday School Times and Moody Monthly each pub­ This outline is taken from" 'Sciences of Satanic Ori­ lished about a dozen of his articles, and such diverse gin': Adventist Attitudes Toward Evolutionary Biology journals as Bibliotheca Sacra, Catholic World, Prince­ and Geology, " by Ronald L. Numbers, Spectrum, Vol. ton Theological Review and The Bible Champion eagerly 9, No.4 (January 1979), pp. 22-26. Volume 16, Number 2 49 and the view that the Genesis Flood was an G. Coffin's Creation-Accident or Design of event with profound geological results in the 1968. crust of the earth are retained. But few of Clark may have recognized some of the the arguments he used to support these con­ philosophical implications of his ecological clusions are now considered valid. Although zonation theory. He was aware that his the­ it is somewhat unsettling to those not in ory might indeed raise additional questions geology to discover how much Adventist for Adventist scientists.2 views have changed, it is nevertheless a mat­ Price believed that' 'Adventists have been ter of record. Aside from the commentary saved from the maze of delusions and incon­ articles it may be constructive to compare, sistencies' '3 resulting from the study of for example, Price's New Geology or Evolu­ geology. History does not bear this out. tionary Geology of 1923 and 1926 with Most of the fundamental points introduced Clark's New Diluvialism of 1946 or Harold by H.W. Clark, which caused G.M. Price

Life of Harold W. Clark in Outline arold W. Clark was born November SDA teachers at that time). One of my students, Otey H 6, 1891, in a farmhouse near Mel­ Johnson, son of an oil promoter in Oklahoma, raised bourne, Quebec. When he was six, the family moved a question about that view. The fossils do occur in to Vermont, and shortly thereafter to South Lan­ order, he asserted, and said this could be proved by caster, Massachusetts. While attending a public high the borings made for oil. school, Harold was urged to take the teachers' I wish you would come down to my home in Okla­ examination. This he did, and was certified to teach homa and see this for yourself, he said. at age 17. Orvil O. Farnsworth hired Harold to teach I would be happy to do so, I replied, if you will pay church school in one room of his home in Jamaica, travel costs. Vermont. Without formal teacher training, Harold Otey wrote to his father, and he sent the money , 'simply did what I had seen my teachers do in their for the railroad fare and paid my salary for a month. schools. " This was the beginning of a productive aca­ Otey and I traveled over 1500 miles in Oklahoma, demic career lasting until 1956 at Pacific Union Col­ and in northern Texas, visiting oil wells, interview­ lege and continuing at present from his home in ing oil geologists in their offices, and studying stratifi­ Calistoga, California. cation in general. The result was that I came back After eight years of teaching primary and secon­ with a much better understanding of geology than dary school in the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Confer­ I had ever had ... My favorite quotation had been ence, Clark was eager to complete a college that of Agassiz: Study nature, not books ... education, so he moved his family to Angwin, I immediately began intensive studies on geologi­ California, where he could teach academy biology cal literature and reports and continued this line for while attending college classes at Pacific Union Col­ several years. In the spring of 1945 I gave a talk in lege. It was during his first year that he enrolled in the chapel on the geological evidence for the Flood. the course that was destined to profoundly influence After it was over a student came to me-he was a his future career. The course, geology, was taught mature man engaged in distribution of oil and gas­ by George McCready Price. Clark received a great and said: inspiration for study of the problems of creation vs. Why don't you publish something on that subject? evolution,4 an inspiration that never faded. I would, I replied, if I had time. Two years later, after Professor Price left Pacific How much time do you need? Union College, Clark began to teach the geology Well, to do it right, I would need to spend a whole class, a class that he taught for the next 25 years in summer studying and writing, I answered. addition to his regular biology courses. Go ahead, he told me, and I will pay your salary In 1931 the Pacific Union College Board voted to while you write. allow Clark full salary and to pay all fees for gradu­ The result of this was that by the spring of 1946 ate study at the University of California. He received my New Diluvialism was published. I distributed it his Master of Science in biology during the summer myself, and during the next few years sold about of 1933. 2000 copies." "In 1936 I was teaching the geology class one day This outline draws on tbe "Autobiograpby of Harold and remarked about how the fossils were arbitrarily W. Clark" Heritage Room, James White Library, arranged (this was the common understanding of Andrews University, 13 pages. 50 Spectrum

such deep concern, are now incorporated logical zones gave an answer to the prob­ into Adventist interpretations of Earth his­ lem, and called my interpretation the tory. Additional questions arising from ecological zonation theory. Clark's ordering theory must now be Price did not recognize the presence of answered. huge ice sheets over the northern part of As stated by H.W. Clark, the book set out North America. He attributed most of the three propositions differing somewhat from so-called glacial phenomena to the Flood Price's interpretation of geology. Price wrote waters. However, Clark had been in the that the fossils represented the remnants of Sierras and other mountains, and traced life provinces in the ancient world, but he these very phenomena to glaciers themselves. did not recognize any sequence in the rocks. Price did not admit of great lateral geolog­ They were buried haphazardly. However, in ical movements, known as overthrusts. He Clark's study, he found evidence that the· taught that the reverse order of the fossils geological column-that is, the order of in these rocks was natural, and that they had fossils from bottom up-was valid, and must actually been laid down as we now see them. be accounted for. It was one of two things, But Clark found enough evidence on this either by ages of slow deposition or the line to convince that there had been terrific burial of the ancient world by rising waters. movements of rocks, and he attributed them . Since I was an ecologist, I saw that the eco- to the action of the Flood. 4

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Harold W. Clark, The New Diluvialism (Angwin, 2. Although Clark's book Genes and Genesis (Pacific California: Science Publications, 1946), p. 93. "It Press) was chosen by the Seventh-day Adventist must not be supposed that the ecological zonation Ministerial Association as the ministerial reading theory affords no questions nor possesses no course selection for 1941, it was necessary for his New unsolved problems. For that matter, neither does the Diluvialism five years later to be published privately popular geological theory. But the test of a theory (Science Publications, Angwin, CA.) is ~o a large extent its ability to explain the facts; in . 3. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Volume this respect the ecological zonation theory of geolog­ 1 (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publish­ ical sequence is seriously suggested as an alternative ing Association, 1953), p. 74 to the commonly accepted theory of long ages of time 4. For the development of Clark's views, compare for the deposition of the fossilferous rocks." his Signs of the Times articles of the 1920s and 1960s. Appendix A Table: Interpretation of the Geologic Column Founders Price Clark 1820-1850 1900-1950 1937-

Order of Strata Yes No Yes Guide Fossils Yes No Yes Species Change (Evolution) No No Yes (lower table) Species Change (Successive Creations) Yes No No Time (Long Ages) Yes No No Glaciation (Continental) Yes(1837) No Yes (Post Flood) Pleistocene (Flood Deposit) Yes Yes No (Post Flood) Biblical Flood Yes Yes Yes (limited effect, (vast effect) surface (virtually all of deposits) the geologic columns) The Table compares interpretations made by geologists responsible for establishing the geologic column with the subsequent interpre­ tations made by George McCready Price and Harold W. Clark. Volume 16, Number 2 51

Appendix B Comparing the 1953 and 1978 Commentaries The Writers 1978. " ... isostatic adjustment would raise the origi­ 1953. The chapter entitled "Science and a Literal nal highlands higher, facilitating further erosion, Creation," pp. 46-63, can be attributed to Frank L. while thicker sediments accumulated in pre-flood Marsh, and the next chapter, "Evidences of a World­ seas" (p. 84), wide Flood," to George McCready Price. 1978. The two chapter titles, ''The Creationist Model Plate Tectonics of Origins" and "Genesis and Geology," can be (Continental Drift) attributed mainly to several new contributors to the 1953. "Hence, even if fossils were forming in the revised edition-namely, Robert H. Brown, Harold deep ocean, there is no method now operating by W. Clark, Harold G. Coffin, and Ariel A. Roth. which the bottoms of the seas and oceans could be made into dry land on a large scale" (p. 91), Apologetic Approach 1978. "Tentative suggestions" 1. Subsidence of con­ 1953. The authors frequently attack the integrity of tinents model, 2. Reversal of continents and oceans those with whom they disagree-primarily evolu­ model (pp. 83-85). (Both models invoke plate tec­ tionists. Statements such as "men were not capable tonics and require the vertical and possible horizon­ of comprehending" (p. 47), "irreverent scientist tal motion of the continents). merely feeds his ego" (p. 48), "peculiar sort of 'faith' " (p. 60), "twisted and misinterpreted" (p. Continental Glaciation 65), "fanciful speculations" (p. 66), "little better than 1953. "Agassiz shouted 'Glaciers'; but few scientists fools" (p. 67), "so completely lacking in general edu­ then, and none since, have been sufficiently the cation" (p. 70), "did not know enough mineralogy" slaves of a "fanatical theory to try to imagine continen­ (p. 70), "crude and unscientific ideas" (p. 74), tal glaciers under the broiling tropical sun at or near "never think out what they are doing" (p.79), "he the sea level" (p. 84), forgets" (p. 80), "tricky argument" (p. 85), "dog­ 1978. "Evidence of "glaciation is found in a number matic system of thinking" (p. 93), "no one with of places in the geologic record of the past. The most knowledge ... will have the audacity" (p. 97), and important and least questionable evidence for glaci­ "subterfuge" (p. 97), ation is found in the Pleistocene, the Permo­ 1978. Personal attacks are absent. It is the interpre­ carboniferous and the Precambrian. The Pleistocene, tation of the data, not the men, which is questioned. the most important and least questioned of all, is Serial Arrangement of Fossils assumed by many creationists to be a post-flood glaciation phenomenon" (p. 93), 1953. The order of fossils was rejected: "from the beginning of their work in this field Adventists have refused to accept the serial arrangement of the fos­ Thrust Faults sils as true science" (p. 75), (Out of Order Strata) 1978. The authors accept the order of fossils: "the 1953. "The many notorious cases called 'thrust degree of uniqueness of fossils at different levels in faults' complete the proof that the fossils were con­ the geologic column makes the ecological zonation temporary, not consecutive. They are simply reversed model the best explanation for the fossil sequence 'deceptive conformities,' and were deposited as we in the context of a flood model" (p. 87), find them. The fantastic fables invoked to account for them are wholly unscientific in spirit and incredi­ Index Fossils ble in respect to fact" (p. 97), 1953 .. 'But crude, unscientific ideas about the value 1978. "A number of creationists have denied the of index fossils as time markers still prevail in geol­ sequential arrangement of fossils in the geologic ogy, in spite of a multitude of discoveries on all con­ column by pointing out that in some places this tinents and in the deep ocean that plainly contradict arrangement does not hold and that so-called older them" (p. 74), rocks rest on top of younger ones. They argue that 1978. "It (ecological zonation) also explains the since there are exceptions to the general order of fos­ presence of index fossils" (p. 87), sils in the geologic column, the theory of evolution is invalidated. Unfortunately, the examples usually Stratified Oceanic Deposits given are from geologically disturbed areas such as 1953. "There are no stratified beds of any kind now the Rocky Mountains and the Alps. These can be forming in the deep waters of the seas and oceans" explained by uplift and sliding of the older rocks over (p.91). the younger, a scenario supported in some cases by Since the deep-sea drilling project (DSDP) began in convincing field data" (p. 77). the 1950s, sedimentary deposits have been found in Taken from the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com­ all ocean basins studied. This knowledge is used in mentary, Vol. 1, 1953, pp. 64-97; and Vol. 1, 1978, pp. Flood modeling in the 1978 edition. 46-97. Reviews

his "formula for salvation" (p. 20), based Notes on Books By on the assumption that being righteous is equivalent to being obedient (p. 16). With and About only an assumed transition, Garne introduces the Ten Commandments and Adventists then busies himself with counting the num­ Reviewed by Peggy Corbett ber of words in each of the.Ten and evalu­ ating its juxtaposition to each of the others Robert H. Pierson. Here Comes Adventure. 159 pp. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing in order to determine its importance in ena­ Association, 1984. $5.95 (paper) bling us to live the good life here on earth­ some seem to carry more weight than others , 'T hey say the Adventists (p. 104), some seem to be easier to keep (p. have a group called the 43). Included as a bonus are dire predictions Marathons. They come in and build a of what will come of not being obedient. The church in two or three days!" (p. 47). Thus, book jacket claims a "fresh and fascinating" the reputation of Maranatha Flights approach to enjoying legalism, yet I'm International-a Christian Peace Corps pressed to see how numbers and scenarios founded by John Freeman-passes on by of what will be if I don't follow the Ten word of mouth. And though half the book qualify as "sweet." elapses before the reader learns Maranatha' s philosophy-helping self through helping Charles E. Bradford. The God Between. 90 pp. Hagers­ others-the skilled organization and selfless town, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Associ­ ation, 1984. $5.95 (paper). spirit of myriads of workers cram the pages with personalities and experiences not to be iven the fact that most of us forgotten by anyone helped by the organi­ G consider important people to zation. Interesting as well is Maranatha's be busy people, I suppose a natural curiosity encouragement of an interdenominational arises when we consider God's character for each project; whoever can help , 'occupation' '-what is God doing? Unfor­ is welcome. Unfortunately, facts and figures tunately, the title chosen for Bradford's litter the pages and the episodic, choppy text book on that very topic sets an ominous tone detracts from the "thrilling" miracles that for his material to follow. The immediate one is led to expect at every turn of an MFI question arises: Between what? And the project. Yet that "worksheet" atmosphere ensuing discussion, written as a companion and the abrupt ending of the report may to the Sabbath school lessons for the first aptly serve to give the flavor of an organi­ quarter of 1985, seems unable to produce zation that is ever planning and never many satisfying answers, what with the finished. reader leaping, in analogy, between space­ ship, plane, ship, and back to spaceship. Geoffrey E. Game. In the Sweet Here and Now. 110 pp. Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publish­ Bradford, the broadly read president of ing Association, 1984. $5.95 (paper). the North American Division, has included many texts describing Christ's ministry, but find it amazing indeed that we has done little to show how verses present­ I are once again offered a book ing opposing ideas could fit as a whole. And touting the joys of legalism. Admittedly a one puzzles why one of the clearest state­ book for "insiders" (p. 57), Game advances ments from Jesus, John 16:26, does not Volume 16, Number 2 53 appear at all. Bradford finishes his text with the assuring proof that Christ is our Guide Comparing Adventist (Rom. 11:36) as well as our Judge (John 5 :22-7). Yet he makes no move to align these Schools to the verses with Hebrews 9, where Paul speaks Competition of Christ's appearing before God on our behalf. "We must not think of Christ's death James c. Carper and Thomas C. Hunt, eds., Religious as satisfying an angry God ... It is always &booling in America. 257 pp., indexes. Birming­ God who works in Christ to reconcile the ham, AL: Religious Education Press, 1984. $14.95 world unto Himself" (pp. 49-50). The reader (paper). is left wondering just who this discussion is about. Knowing Bradford to be a powerful by Maurice Hodgen and effective speaker, perhaps if one heard the text, it would be convincing. n an effort to remove religious I schooling from the periphery of Mervyn A. Warren. God Made Known. 94 pp. Hagers­ educational discussions, James C. Carper town, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Associ­ ation, 1984. $5.95 (paper). and Thomas C. Hunt have edited a collec­ tion of essays on religious schooling in fresh breeze blows through America that seeks to sketch the history of A the pages of Mervyn War­ six religiOUS school systems, offers insight ren'svolume, God Made Known. Among the into contemporary issues of religious edu­ plethora of articles and books available on cation, and generally stimulates a higher the how-to' s of the Christian life, this book level of debate about American education. begins with the frank assumption that God The authors of the historical chapters wants to be known and, therefore, can be emphasize those particular aspects of their known. From that point the author explores denominations that they believe make their some historical approaches to the search for brands of religious education distinctive. God and conclusions of that search, and Calvinist schools, for example, seek "dis­ then leads the reader through numerous tinctives" based in their theology; Catholic avenues of discovery, ranging from nature schools wrestle with their identity in a and health through the law, family, and church redefined by Vatican II; Christian Christ. day schools' great diversity probably finds Another welcome change from the usual focus from fighting secular humanism; Jew­ is the inclusion of complete bibliographical ish day schools are tied to profound ideo­ information for the wide variety of sources logical questions in their congregations; cited (from Barthto Business Week to E.G. Lutheran schools are presented as their con­ White). Warren combines scholarly informa­ gregations' ministry of Christian training to tion with explanation, making the views Lutheran youth; and Seventh-day Adventist presented understandable to the general schools develop steadily against a back­ reader as well as challenging to those reach­ ground apparently free of problems. ing for deeper content. The reader will wel­ Within the historical section of the book, come the author's effort to avoid cliche and the essay on Jewish day schools, by Eduardo peripheral issues and remain intent on his Rauch, and the Thomas Hunt and Norlene subject. Indeed, one may "come boldly" Kunkel chapter on Catholic schools (by far and receive light. the longest chapter at 33 pages) are clearly the best written. Moreover, these two chap­ ters convincingly demonstrate the value and Peggy Corbett, is a homemaker and Spectrum's importance of understanding denomina­ coeditor of book reviews. tional preoccupations and historical 54 Spectrum developments before discussing educational and the limits of state regulations on them. improvements. A discussion of Mormon Both topics have current political appeal. patterns of religious schooling and an essay Donald Erikson argues that state regulation on religious higher education (still a popu­ brings only baleful effects, and James lar alternative for college-aged youth) would Herndon concludes that only very limited have added strength to the book. forms of public financial aid are appropriate A major contribution by the authors of to religious schools in our society. Both these historical essays, despite the essays' writers provide lively reading. The equally often weak history, is that they never sim­ lively issue of creationism versus evolution, ply talk about religious schooling as "the surely important to at least the Adventist three R's with religion added, " but focus on and Christian day schools discussed earlier the denominational values that influence in the book, has current political appeal but curriculum, administration and patronage. is not included. These political issues allow This focus stimulates discussion of the fact few clear and no permanent resolutions, but that secular and religious schooling propose they do provide much public discussion and essentially different philosophical priorities. test the effectiveness of ideology. The differences stem from views of what knowledge is, the nature of persons, and A major contribution by the authors of attitudes toward change in society. From these historical essays, despite the essays, these views flow choices about what is often weak history, is that they never sim­ taught and how, administrative policies, and ply talk about religious schooling as the a-hundred-and-one other operations three R's with religion added, but focus involved in schooling. Had all the contribu­ on the denominational values that tors consistently penetrated to these essen­ influence curriculum, administration, tial values, the book would be even stronger. and patronage. The second part of the book sets religious schooling in the wider context of American public education and politics. In the first of On balance, the book achieves several of the three essays, Charles Knicker argues that its goals. It informs the reader about the past secular-he prefers the label "common"­ of the religious schools discussed, identifies and religious schools have usually accommo­ the social and denominational dynamics dated, even assimilated, each other. But he affecting these schools, and provides concludes that although both kinds of insights into some contemporary issues and schools prepare students for citizenship, problems. The editors have indeed en­ teach common values "not substantially hanced the quality of current debate about different, " and prepare students equally American education by stimulating thought well as social reformers, the common school about a persistent tension in American soci­ may provide more equality of educational ety: the practical consequences for educa­ opportunity and can offer more experiences tion of two kinds of schooling, the religious that build social unity from diversity. Fur­ and the "common," that follow different thermore, he says, "all self-contained educa­ ideologies. tional systems," including the religious, forfeit the responsibility to build social unity, the "necessary function of the 'common' school," whatever its success. Maurice Hodgen, a professor of education and dean of the graduate school, Lorna Linda University, is The other essays in this part focus on author of Sabbath Bells and Gospel Trumpets, pub­ financial aid to patrons of religious schools, lished by Adventist Heritage in 1978. Volume 16, Number 2 55

the development of Adventist doctrine relat­ Letting the ing to the sanctuary message? Why does the author not address the contention made by Pioneers Speak? the White Estate itself that in some cases Ellen White misunderstood and misinter­ Paul A. Gordon. The Sanctuary, 1844, and the Pioneers. preted her own visions in regard to this 157 pp. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Pub­ subject?2 lishing Association, 1983. $9.95 (paper) Does the book give the false impression that the pioneers were generally united in Reviewed by Steven G. Daily their thinking on the meaning of the sanc­ tuary doctrine and the 1844 movement? he thesis of Paul Gordon's The Does it adequately emphasize the develop­ T Sanctuary, 1844, and tbe ment process that occurred in the formula-· Pioneers is that Seventh-day Adventists have tion of these doctrines? Does it accurately formulated their doctrine on the sanctuary, account for the evolution of thought and the not from the writings of Ellen White, but pluralism of views that existed even for the from the careful Bible study of such pioneers pioneers? as James White, Uriah Smith, and J.N. Is the book uncritical of the views of the Andrews. Gordon attempts to demonstrate pioneers? Does it leave the reader with the that Adventism's sanctuary message is impression that the pioneers satisfactorily indeed a scriptural doctrine. But the value solved all the questions and problems relat­ of the book lies in providing-albeit some­ ing to the sanctuary and 1844? If so, why what slanted and incomplete-the historical do so many questions continue to be raised framework within which the Adventist com­ in this area? munity adopted the sanctuary doctrine. The First of all, Gordon maintains that the author relies heavily on the writings of the sanctuary debate in the nineteenth century pioneers themselves, using lengthy quota­ was not just of central importance to tions to support his argument. Seventh-day Adventists, but was considered Gordon states that his purpose in the book to be relevant by certain Sundaykeeping is "not to refute heretics" who have dis­ churches as well (pp.47-49). While it is torted the sanctuary message. However, his generally difficult to find a college student choice of materials implies such an agenda. who is at all enthusiastic over this question In this context it seems that some justifia­ today, such was not the case one hundred ble questions might be raised concerning the years ago. adequacy of the book. Secondly, Gordon argues that Ellen White Does the book allow the pioneers to speak did not wield a determinative force in the in such a selective manner that its histori­ establishment of Adventist doctrines. He cal value is overshadowed by its apologetic insists that her visionary experience simply tone? reinforced and confirmed the theological Why does the book fail to deal with the consensus of the pioneers. , 'shut-door" question in any detail, partic­ Finally, the author argues that the ularly when this teaching was so closely pioneers were generally balanced and prac­ related with the sanctuary doctrine, was a tical individuals who were not inclined source of confusion for the pioneers, and has toward theological extremes. The most been the object of so many questions raised influential pioneers in the Advent movement by various Adventist scholars in the past and avoided the perfectionistic implications of present? 1 the investigative judgment, which have been Does the book adequately present the role the focal point of so many offshoot move­ that Ellen White ~nd her visions played in ments and dissenters in Adventism. The 56 Spectrum pioneers presented the investigative judg­ further acquaints Adventists with their ment in the context of the Three Angels' roots. Surely this is important in an age Messages. There were pioneers such as W.H. when so many Adventists are struggling to Littlejohn who emphasized notions of "con­ find a sense of identity, and when so many ditional pardon" in relation to the investiga­ seem to be uninformed concerning their his­ tive judgment and close of probation, but tory as a people. such views were exceptional. Although this book certainly leaves some important questions unanswered, Gordon's Steven G. Daily is Campus Chaplain of Lorna Linda work is still valuable. Its historical research University.

NOTES

1. Historical Seventh-day Adventist positions on tained in Course Syllabus for E. G. White and the Church the shut-door question and the original statements (Lorna Linda University), pp. 1-12. of E.G. White on this subject are available in the fol­ 2. See Robert Olson, "One Hundred and One lowing sources: Rolf Poehler, "And the Door Was Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White" Shut," Andrews University Research Manuscript: (White Estate, 1981), pp. 57, 58. He takes the posi­ Ellen White Research Center, Berrien Springs, Michi­ tion that Mrs. White misinterpreted her shut-door gan, 1978; Dalton Baldwin, "The Shut Door," con- vision. Volume 16, Number 2 57

Update

Wygal, 47, is a graduate of the University Ne\V College of Texas and Texas Tech, from which he received his doctorate in educational administration. He has taught high school Presidents speech and English and served on the facul­ ties of the University of Texas and South­ by Deanna Davis west Texas State. He was academic dean at Dalton Junior College in Dalton, Georgia, for three years. In 1969, Wygal became vice hree new presidents have re­ president for planning and development at T cently been appointed to Florida Junior College and the following Adventist colleges in North America. None year was named president. has been the president of an Adventist col­ After 15 years with the Florida school, lege before. Two of three appointments are Wygal said he was "ready for a career unusual in Adventist history since neither change where he could combine his interest had ever previously been employed by the in religion and education .. , He noted that denomination. They come directly from he had decided long ago that his next career administering public colleges. move would be to a "smaller, closer set­ Benjamin R. Wygal, president of Union ting. " Wygal guided the operation of the College since February, for the previous 15 four:"'campus community college from a years had been president of Florida Junior downtown office in Jacksonville, where College in Jacksonville, a four-campus, "you never really see students" and from 74,000-student community college system. which he had to oppose attempts to union­ Jack Bergman will assume the presidency of ize the faculty. Wygal said he is enjoying the Walla Walla College on July 1. He is cur­ increased interaction with faculty and stu­ rently dean of the School of Liberal Arts and dents that is possible on the Union College Sciences at Western Oregon State College, campus. a 2,600 student liberal-arts college in Mon­ Although Wygal had served for several mouth, Oregon. Lawrence T. Geraty, years on the Board of Trustees of Southern professor of archaeology and history of College and on the General Conference antiquity at the Seventh-day Adventist The­ Board of Higher Education, adjusting to a ological Seminary at Andrews University, new system has been challenging. Wygal will" assume the presidency of Atlantic Union said that his administrative experience in College on July 1. budgeting and management has been an ad­ Wygal is the 24th president of Union Col­ vantage in his new position. Since his arrival lege. He succeeds Dean L. Hubbard, who Wygal has already submitted and the Board is currently president of Northwest Missouri of Trustees has approved a long-term finan­ State University. Bergman will be the 17th cial plan to stabilize and improve the finan­ president of Walla Walla College. He suc­ cial future of the college. ceeds N. Clifford Sorensen, who has accep­ Jack Bergman, 59, is an alumnus of Walla ted the position of executive secretary for Walla College. He received an M.A. in his­ the North American Division Board of tory from the University of Puget Sound and Higher Education. Geraty succeeds Larry a Ph.D. from Washington State University. Lewis, who remains in the psychology Bergman served as instructor in history at department of Atlantic Union College. both of these universities. He joined the his- 58 Spectrum tory department at Western Oregon State ciation of Adventist Forums. In his profes­ College in 1966. From 1969-1974 he served sion Geraty is vice president of the American as chairman of the history and. social science Center of Oriental Research. Amman. Jor­ department. He has been dean of the School dan; secretary of the committee on Archaeo­ of Liberal Arts and Sciences since 1981. logical policy (the accrediting body for Bergman' s wide network of contacts with American archaeological work) in the Mid­ higher education in the Northwest and his dle East; and associate editor of the Biblical understanding of the attitudes of the laity Archaeologist. are qualities that he believes will be assets Geraty accepted the presidency after the in his new position. Before accepting his Board of Trustees agreed to: provide an appointment to Walla Walla College. he additional $1 million over a four-year period recently served as chairman of the special for scholarships and plant improvement (all constituency meeting of the North Pacific present students will receive a $500 scholar­ Union that approved changes in its ship if they return next year); appoint as aca­ constitution. demic dean Sakae Kubo. formerly president Bergman has taken an active role in of Newbold College and dean of the school Adventist education. serving for the past of theology at Walla Walla College; and four years on the Board of Trustees for Walla appoint Larry Herr. another Ph.D. in Walla College. as well as educational com­ archaeology from Harvard and recently a mittees on both the conference and union teacher at the Seventh-day Adventist theo­ levels. Nonetheless. he. like Wygal. admits logical seminary in the Far East. to the the­ that he has some catching up to do to ology department. Geraty will also be free become familiar with the policies and regu­ to devote alternate summers to leading. in lations of the Adventist school system. cooperation with Andrews University. fur­ , 'Becoming a part of a group I belong to ther archaeological expeditions in Jordan. 24 hours a day" will also be a big adjust­ Coping with financial problems and ment. Bergman said. At Western Oregon his strengthening the awareness of the mission personal and social relationships with col­ of Adventist education are priorities of all leagues were minimal. "I am looking for­ three administrators. They consider the ward to a much closer relationship with establishment of large endowments neces­ colleagues ... sary to provide relief from financial pressures Lawrence Geraty. 45. grew up as the son caused by declining enrollment and tuition­ of a missionary educator in China and Leba­ dependent operating budgets. The single non, graduated from Pacific Union College major issue facing Adventist education where he was editor of the school news­ today. according to Wygal. is enrollment. paper. pastored briefly in California and He noted that declining enrollment related then received his Ph.D. in Old Testament to population trends is a problem through­ and Biblical Archaeology from Harvard out public as well as private education. University. His entire career since then has Union College's enrollment is down by been at the Seventh-day Adventist Theolog­ about 100 students from the previous year. ical Seminary. where he first assisted and largely because there are fewer graduates then succeeded Sigfried Horn as the from Adventist academies in the region. organizer and leader of several archaeolog­ Bergman notes that fewer and fewer ical expeditions in Jordan. He is also the church members recognize the real reason director of the Institute of Archaeology and for Christian education. His biggest curator of the Sigfried Horn Archaeological challenge. he said. is to reverse that trend Museum at Andrews University. an officer and to restore Christian education to the of the American Schools of Oriental high position that it once had in the Research, and former president of the Asso- denomination. Volume 16. Number 2 59

Geraty thinks that small Adventist col­ In television coverage of the evening, tele­ leges, like Atlantic Union College, will have cast as far away as San Diego, David Larson, to stress diverse, even unique, educational associate director of the Lorna Linda Univer­ opportunities. "We will certainly be sity Center for Christian Bioethics, emphasizing the heritage and ivy league explained that the two-day conference, April reputation for excellence associated with 21-22, had drawn 230 registrants from across New England, " he says. the country. The topic of organ transplan­ tation had been planned long before the Deanna Davis is an instructor in English at Walla Walla Baby Fae operation, but it was felt it would College. be healthy to proceed and welcome critics of the surgery to the Lorna Linda campus. The four members of the Lorna Linda University ethics faculty and three represen­ tatives of the Hastings Center, including the National Conference director, Daniel Callahan, alternated giving principal presentations and chairing sessions Opens Lorna Linda at the conference. Respondents came from the Claremont Colleges, the University of Ethics Center California at Los Angeles, the University of Southern California, and included Roy by Bonnie Dwyer Branson, a research fellow at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics, Georgetown University, and the editor of Spectrum. The majority of eonard Bailey was on the those attending the conference came from L panel and the principal outside California. speaker was Arthur Caplan, one of the most Stimulating conversations on current ethi­ vocal critics of the Baby Fae operation. It cal issues in society is one of the goals of the was therefore not surprising that April 21 ethics center, established in 1984. The chair­ some 700 people attended the plenary ses­ man and director of the center, Jack sion of the first conference sponsored by the Provonsha, reports that more than $200,000 ethics center at Lorna Linda University. was donated in just the first year to the After Caplan, associate for the humanities center. Administratively, the center is at the Hastings Center, the internationally located within the division of religion and renowned research institute that co­ includes as staff all the members of the ethics sponsored the conference, completed his department, including, in addition to presentation on the .. Ethical Challenges of Provonsha and Larson, Charles Teel, chair­ Organ Transplantation," responses were man of the department of Christian ethics; given by eight panel members from Lorna and James Walters, chairman of the center's Linda and surrounding universities. How­ development committee. ever, probably the most interesting com­ Walters points out that with $200,000 ments of the evening were made in private already raised . 'the center's $500,000 by Baby Fae's mother. At the close of the endowment goal is suddenly feasible. ' , session, she sought out Caplan at the front He further explains that specific activities of the Lorna Linda University church, receive their own funding. For example, the where the meeting had taken place, to April conference was underwritten by the explain the thoroughness of her study of the California Council for the Humanities. alternatives before consenting to the trans­ Monthly luncheon meetings at the Medical plantation of a baboon heart to her infant Center, well-attended by a couple of daughter. hundred students and staff, are made pos- 60 Spectrum

sible by a grant from the Wuchenich Foun­ Youth Ministries Department, for three dation. Topics at the luncheon seminars years. After this initial three years of fund­ presented by ethicists from not only ing, the local unions and conferences are Southern California but also Washington having to support the chaplaincy programs state and Washington, D.C., have included: themselves. "Human Experimentation: Allocation of the Approximately 18,000 Seventh-day Scarce Medical Dollar," "The Elderly Ill: Adventist college and university students Right-to-Die Legislation," and "The New currently attend nondenominational Medical Economics: Bane or Boon?" schools-roughly the same number as attend According to Larson, "The work of the denominational undergraduate and post­ center is different from that of a typical graduate schools. Thirty Adventist chaplains university department in that it calls upon minister to students attending non­ specialists in many disciplines to probe cur­ Adventist schools. Twenty-five of these rent ethical issues." In a recent editorial in chaplains volunteer their time; only five are Update, the newsletter of the ethics center, paid by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Larson stresses that an interdisciplinary Those five are supported 40 percent by their center is a place where ethics can be a par­ local conference, and 20 percent by their ticipatory enterprise, rather than a condem­ union, and 40 percent from the General natory one. Conference. The journal Crossroads was created in 1982 for these teachers and pas­ Bonnie Dwyer is a communications consultant in tors working on the secular campuses. Southern California and news editor of Spectrum. Church sponsorship requires that at least 50 percent of each chaplain's time be spent either on campus or working with students; the rest of his time is used to meet local con­ Adventist Chaplains ference needs. The ultimate goal of the chaplaincy program is to have one church­ On· Secular Campuses sponsored chaplain serving in every North American union. So far, the five unions par­ ticipating in the program are the Canadian by AI Keiser Union (Maritime Conference), the Colum­ bia Union (Potomac Conference), the North Pacific Union (Washington Conference), the n Washington, D.C., and South­ Pacific Union (Arizona Conference) and the I ern California, at the Universi­ Southern Union (Georgia-Cumberland Con­ ties of New Brunswick, Tennessee, and ference). Salaries for four more chaplains Washington, as well as Arizona State have been authorized by the General Con­ University, Adventists are reaching out to ference, but they are still waiting for the students and faculty through fraternity local conferences to find matching funds. houses and special classes. With more than Historically there have been some efforts 12 million students on approximately 3,200 by Adventists to witness on a few campuses. post-high school campuses in the United Perhaps the most notable is the work in States alone, secular college campuses are Orange County, California, began by Paul an important mission field. In 1981, the Jensen and Joe Jerus in conjunction with the North American Division of the General Garden Grove church. In 1972, sponsored Conference voted to establish secular cam­ by the Voice of Prophecy, a concerted effort pus ministries in North America. In 1982, was put forth by these two young men to the General Conference funded the pro­ focus their work on the secular campuses in gram, proposed by the North American their vicinity. They both worked full time as Volume 16, Number 2 61 chaplains, and their program was and is sup­ ministry programs have operated at the ported entirely by independent contribu'" University of Washington, the Boston Tem­ tions. (There are now seven full-time ple, the University of Florida, and the workers in their program. Up to 1972, other University of Tennessee. efforts had been made, but they were invari­ The Maritime Conference, in developing ably only part-time. Some Adventist Forum its secular campus ministry at the Univer­ groups of the 1960s, located on secular cam­ sity of New Brunswick in Fredericton, not puses, saw their own roles in the broad sense only purchased a fraternity house near the of witness, but, to my knowledge, no group campus, but also a church about one block had a full-time worker as campus chaplain,) away. The sense of permanence given to this Another significant feature in the devel­ ministry by the community house, the opment of Adventist secular-campus min­ church, and the full-time witness of Ladd istry was added by Dick Tkachuk and his and Ruth Dunfield. created one of the most wife while he was doing postgraduate work successful secular campus witnessing pro­ at the University of Iowa in the mid-1970s. gams in the Adventist Church. With the help of the conference and the local The need for secular campus ministries is church, the Tkachuks purchased a fraternity great and very likely to grow. Laudable house adjacent to the campus and, as often responses to the need have already been as they could, made it a community center. made. but a more organized. comprehen­ They offered free vegetarian soup suppers, sive response is needed in the future. five-day plans, and other inducements to interest people in their house. This commu­ nity house added an element of permanence AI Keiser is head of the religion department at to their campus ministry. Other campus Takoma Academy. 62 Spectrum

Responses

This determination was reached after considering the Baptismal Vow uniform and certain fatality of infants afflicted with hypoplastic left heart and the dismal alternative avail­ o the Editors: I am disturbed by the· able to these infants. Therefore, according to gov­ T prospect of the 27 Statements of ernment regulations, no compensation clause was Belief possibly being incorporated into the baptismal technically required. Nonetheless, the informed con­ vow, as reported in Vol. 15, No.4. sent states' 'this experimental heart surgery should When I began my ministry the baptismal vow con­ not result in any additional expense to you as fam­ sisted of about seven articles. During the 45 years ily." This sentence was written a full year before since then the numbers on the baptismal vow have Baby Fae was born and before any particulars of the almost doubled. I doubt that people baptized under family situation were known. This vague sentence the current 13 declarations have proved to be any gives the entire family (husband, wife, siblings) legal better informed or more firmly grounded Seventh­ recourse to compensation for injury, physical or men­ day Adventists than those who preceded them. The tal, for years to come. The intent of this sentence was attempt now to proliferate vows required for fellow­ to provide legal recourse should this become neces­ ship into a detailed delineation of Bible doctrine sary in order to recover damages from the univer­ seems to me an unmitigated evil. I presume its pur­ sity should injury occur. pose is to unify the church, but if really taken seri­ It was not until 1979 that the government regula­ ously will have just the opposite effect. Furthermore, tions included the compensation clause. Since the just as undue multiplication of rules and regulations addition of this clause, the Office for the Protection in families or schools tends to reduce the effective­ from Research Risk (OPRR) at NIH has received legal ness of any, so also I believe the more detailed and opinions about the appropriateness of this clause. itemized a vow is, the less seriously anyone of the Opinions range from the view that the clause is of details will be taken. no benefit in a court of law and would be discarded Admission to the church and withdrawal of fellow­ as having no legal standing, to the other extreme stat­ ship are under the control of local church boards. ing that the clause was unduly binding to the insti­ These are not faculties of theology. It is not a double tution and should not be included in the regulations. standard but an infinity of standards which will Throughout the IRB literature there has been signifi­ result. This is tantamount to no standard, if by stan­ cant discussion about the appropriateness of the clas­ dard we mean a measure of unity. sic statement of compensation as required by I don't think I am usually regarded as an unrecon­ government regulations. structed reactionary, but I still like the succinct vow No Search for Human Heart. As of this writing, two we used in the 1940s better than anything we have infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome have developed since. died at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Given that there are 300+ infants born per year in F.E.J. Harder the United States with this congenital malformation, Former Executive Secretary it stands to reason that in the six months since Baby Board of Higher Education Fae's death approximately 150 infants have been General Conference born and subsequently died with this disorder. There have been no reported human hearts available to this entire group, nor have there been any made avail­ able for Loma Linda surgeons to transplant through the Regional Organ Procurement Agency. It is obvi­ Baby Fae and NIH ous that although human size-matched, immunolog­ ically compatible hearts would be preferable, none o the Editors: Although the National is available, especially in the numbers needed (300+ T Institute of Health (NIH) report per year) to resolve this clinical problem. reproduced in Vol.16, No.1 was generally positive, Nonetheless, the IRB at Loma Linda University will as chairman of the Institutional Review Board at require the Surgery Department to search for human Loma Linda University, I wish to respond to its three hearts, futile as it will be. The ethical question that criticisms of the current consent form used by Loma arises is "how long should the search be pressed­ Linda in the Baby Fae case. how close to death should the subject be allowed to No Compensation Clause. The government regula­ drift before xenotransplant is resorted to?" Should tions require this clause whenever the Institutional physiological data be the criteria, such as pulmonary Review Board URB) rules the research to be greater artery wedge pressure greater than 20 mmhg or than minimal risk. Loma Linda University's IRB cardiac index less than 1.8 to determine when to ruled this protocol to be "minimal additional risk. " cease the search and move to xenotransplant? Volume 16, Number 2 63

The overly optimistic tone of the consent form. The tone none in the GRI staff ever taught a class for the will be toned down as per the recommendations of department, and they seldom attended the weekly NIH. The wording of the consent form is positive, geology seminar that the department conducted, a reflection of the deeply held belief of the research which included both progressive and conservative team that this protocol has potential therapeutic speakers. benefit for the subject. They have a right to this belief Dr. Lugenbeal summed up the present situation by and indeed an ethical requirement that they believe stating that while the Geoscience Research Institute in what they are doing, or else they should not be expressed the predominant Adventist view during engaged in this line of research. the last 25 years, those views are now alienating most There have been no significant comments on the Adventist geoscientists, who now outnumber and are NIH's criticism of Loma Linda University's IRB much more educated in geology and geophysics than minute-keeping. We handle hundreds of protocols the GRI staff. The Seventh-day Adventist Church each year and have always passed our previous NIH cannot continue to support the dogma of those who site visits where the minutes and overall IRB proce­ feel theirs is the only explanation of the age of the dures were inspected. The minutes regarding earth and related topics, and who insist on forcing xenotransplants were recorded as were all our other their views on the body of Adventist geoscientists minutes. We intend to include more detail hereafter. who merely seek to reconcile the problems of science We accepted the NIH's consultative visit because and inspiration. it was an impartial organization that did not have Steven Kuhlman, Graduate Student any side agendas and which would indicate our defi­ University of Oklahoma ciencies without editorializing. We continue in our belief that, although not perfect, the IRB did an ade­ quate job with an extremely difficult issue and will continue to safeguard the research subjects, researchers, IRB process and Loma Linda University in the future. o the Editors: Perhaps Peter Hare T should consider where his line of Richard L. Sheldon, M.D. reasoning is leading. Isn't there an overwhelming Chairman, Institutional Review Board danger in presenting faulty theories that tend to des­ Loma Linda University troy faith in the written Word? Shouldn't we, with God's help, be "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the know­ ledge of God, and be "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ?" (2 Cor. 10:5). Evolutionary theories, such as the ones Dr. Hare More on Creation has been playing with, have been around for decades. If we accept Ellen White as a writer inspired o the Editors: As a recent graduate by God, and if we accept the Bible as divinely T of the Loma Linda University geology inspired, then we will avoid the temptation to play department, I feel compelled to address some of the with these false theories that tend to cast doubt on issues raised by the articles in the August 1984, Spec­ the words of inspiration. If inspired writings about trum (Vol. 15, No.2). things that have already happened cannot be When I tell Adventists I am studying to be a geol­ believed, how can we have confidence in inspired ogist the common reply is, "Oh, are you going to writings about the future? Consider the following prove Creation and the Flood?" I am very antagonis­ statements: tic to people who feel this is the only reason for a "In the schools of today the conclusions that geology program. If such is the case, why don't learned men have reached as the result of their scien­ physics, biology, and chemistry departments func­ tific investigations are carefully taught and fully tion for the same reason? Granted, geology deals explained; while the impression is distinctly given with the problem of ages more than other fields but that if these learned men are correct, the Bible can­ the public does not force physics majors to explain not be" (8 T 305), the problems with the Big Bang theory and inspira­ "He who has a knowledge of God and his word tion, chemists to spend all their time invalidating through personal experience has a settled faith in the geochronometers, and biologists to constantly refute divinity of the Holy Scriptures ... He does not test natural selection. the Bible by men's ideas of science; he brings these Dr. Hammill mentioned in his article that the ideas to the test of the unerring standard" (MH 462). Geoscience Research Institute was moved to Loma There was once another Peter who was very confi­ Linda in 1980 "to give greater breath and depth of dent that his own ideas were correct and that Christ faculty" to the fledging geology department. While should pay attention to his great wisdom. This got the idea was executed with good intent, the result him into a great deal of difficulty. Perhaps Peter Hare has been much less than was hoped for. In the two should carefuly consider the experiences of this other years I was involved with the geology department, Peter and try to avoid the same pitfalls. Satan seems 64 Spectrum to know that some characteristics we normally think Bonnie Dwyer Responds of as our strengths are often our weaknesses, and he tries to lead us down the destructive path of self­ The Zackrison settlement included more than cash. confidence and self-reliance. Perhaps that is why God Southern College offered to buy his $80,000 home gave us the warning recorded in Jeremiah 9, verses (it was sold independently), paid $70,000 for his doc­ 23 and 24 (NASH): "Thus says the Lord, 'Let not a toral training, and $12,000 moving expenses. When wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not a mighty those figures are added to the two years salary for man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of Ed Zackrison and one year for his wife, the total set­ his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that tlement offered was more than $200,000. Spectrum's he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord figures were checked with the Zackrisons who were who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteous­ considered a reliable source. ness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares Bonnie Dwyer the Lord." News Editor I pray that each one of us may understand these wonderful attributes of God's character through per­ sonal experience. This will lead, without question, to greater confidence in his Word. , \ J. Stanley McCluskey l Port-au-Prince l'J Haiti \\

Southern College Objects

o the Editors: I have been a sub­ T scriber to Spectrum for eight years. The article "Exodus" (Vol. 15, No.3) distressed me from the standpoint of getting the facts right before an article is published. The article written by Bonnie Dwyer indicates a settlement of more than $200,000 to Ed Zackrison. That report is absolutely false. The cash settlement was far less than that amount and the details of the specific amount could have been obtained from the president or academic dean of this college, if the reporter had bothered to try to get her facts straight. Richard K. Reiner Past Vice President for Finance Southern College Spectrum Advisory Council

Floyd and Charlene Andersen Gordon and Nadine Hale N.W. Northey .. Ted Benedict . F.E.J. Harder Daniel and Marilyn Patchin Charles and Julie Bensonhaver Jon Hardt Daniel Paulien ; Doug Bertleson Milford and Cheryl Harrison Thomas and Sharon Pellow Viveca Black Robert and Sally Hasselbrack Winslow and Vema Randall Larry Botimer John Hodgkin Alfredo and Martha Rasi Bernard and Neridah Brandstater Wilfred and Margaret Huse Alvin Ratzlaff Bruce and Betty Branson Fil Inocencio Robert Rausch Roy Branson John and Marjorie Jacobson Walter Rea Floyd and Mary Brauer Bernard and Dorothy Johnson Merlin and Arlene Reeder M.L.S. Brown Eugene and Liv Joergenson Barbara B. Renschler Morris Brusett Elton and Marga Kerr Gordon Rick Robert and Marilyn Burman William and Dorane King William and Anieta Rippey Harold Campbell Richard and Claire Knieram Wayne Rohming RH. Carson Alice Koelsch Jan Rushing Glenn Coe Edward and Ruth Komarniski James Sands Douglas Collins Albert and Elizabeth Koppel Michael· Scofield Patricia Cople Irwin and Doreen Kuhn Donald and· Ursula Shasky Molleurus and Dos Couperus Alvin and Verla Kwiram Gordon and Lovina Short Eryl Cummings Melvin and Karen Lake Walter and Grace Stilson Raymond Damazo Robert and Anita Lang Dennis and Jodi Swena James and Mary Dunn Fred Lee Leonard and Carlene Taylor Thomas and Bonnie Dwyer Andrew Leonie. III James Thomas Richard and Juanita Engel Charles Lindsay Thais Thrasher Rene and Mary Evard· Bradley and Roberta Litchfield Dort and Nancy Tikker Walt and Lois Fahlsing Ewald Lonser Lorna Tobler James and Erika Fallbeck Felix Lorenz Darwin and Faye Tompkins Joy and Gerald Fuller Richard and Heidi Ludders Thorvaldur and Lou Anne Torfason G. Elaine Giddings Edward and Marilyn Lugenbeal Robin and Nancy Vandermolen Gary Gilbert Robert and Marguerite Marsh John and Nancy Vogt David and Joyce Grauman Donald McAdams Harold and Ella Mae Wallar Sanford Graves Kenneth and Irene McGill Kenneth and Karla Walters Octavian Gregorescu W.M. Meek Harry Wang John Griffen Ken and Mary Moe James Webster Paul Gruzensky Robert and Jacqueline Moncrieff Rodney and Barbara Willard William Hafner. Jr. Lyla Neumann William Woods

The Spectrum Advisory Council is a group of committed Spectrum supporters who provide financial stability and business and editorial advice to ensure the continuation of the journal's open discussion of significant issues. For more information. contact Robin A. Vandermolen 1416 N. Louise Glendale. CA 91207 (818) 246-0077