Review and Herald for 1977

AUGUST 4, 1977 ADVENT REVIEW AND SABBATH HERALD • GENERAL CHURCH PAPER OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS Top: the new campus of Saniku Gakuin Junior-Senior High School, near Hiroshima, Japan, was developed in less than a year's time. Opening services were conducted on May 10. Bottom: a group of junior high girls lean out the window to ask the author/photographer a question. See the cover story on page 14. Guest Editorial 2. The greatest single factor that will enable our Teaching the Principles schools to achieve their objective of teaching the principles of Heaven, is to obtain the right kind of teachers. of Heaven Our schools will never achieve their full potential until the church is able to select and develop men and women God has counseled that the ABC of Christian educa- to teach in our schools who have a solid Christian expe- tion consists in bringing the principles of heaven into the rience themselves, who feel a burden to articulate their educational process (Counsels to Parents and Teachers, faith to their students, who will function as spiritual p. 230). Many Adventists consider agriculture the ABC guides to the young people in their classes, and who will of education (Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 179). Ellen White incorporate into all their instruction the Biblical philoso- states that in agriculture the Christian teacher may teach phy of life. the principles of heaven far easier than, for instance, in Offering a Variety of Curricula mathematics, sociology, or typing skills. However, our schools have found it almost impossible 3. The third great need of our schools, in order that to incorporate agriculture in any meaningful way into they will teach the principles of Heaven, relates to the their curricula—for two reasons: (1) In many countries, curriculum and to the method of teaching it. When the by the time school opens in the fall the harvest is just enrollment in our schools was small, most of the gradu- ending. Winter comes soon and nothing can be grown ates entered denominational employment. The last insti- until about the time the school term ends in the spring. tution of higher education in which I served graduated (2) It is no longer possible to use largely unskilled between 500 to 700 young people a year; our other labor in agriculture. The use of such labor results in a colleges in the United States graduate similar numbers. lower income, which would be insufficient to cover costs Inasmuch as the church can employ only a small fraction for labor and supplies. In order to produce crops at of these young people, it is unfair to educate them only marketable prices, farmers today must invest in expen- for the job market of the church. Such a course poses sive, labor-saving machinery. Schools that have not problems and questions. modernized have lost so much money in agriculture they Adventist youth today choose a wide variety of voca- have been forced to close out this field, no matter how tions. Ellen White has advised that our schools are not strongly they believed in its value. only to meet the needs of those who will work for the This does not mean that the basic counsel of Ellen church, but also to provide for the general education of White cannot be carried out. We must teach the princi- all of the youth of the church, whether they enter public ples of Heaven in our schools, if not in one way, then in or private employment (Counsels to Parents and Teach- another (Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 230). If the ers, p. 44). Carrying out this counsel requires our schools food used in the school costs more if produced than if to offer a variety of curricula. purchased, and if there are no more trees to be felled, The problem lies not in the variety of curricula (though other useful labor and teaching materials must be found the expense of such a variety is a problem), but in to accomplish the same purpose. The industries operated learning how to teach them in a way that will not only by many of our schools go a long way toward fulfilling provide the student with salable knowledge and skills but this function. also develop Christian concepts. Our problem is to know However, other factors also are vital in teaching youth how to provide our youth with the curricula they need to the principles of Heaven. I offer the following sugges- prepare them for their chosen vocations, and at the same tions, designed to be helpful not only to those engaged in time see to it that they learn the principles of Heaven. educating our youth but also to the youth in our churches If I were to try to select the major weakness of our and to their parents. educational system at this time, I would point to the 1. The principles of Heaven cannot be taught ade- failure to emphasize adequately in all classes the princi- quately in a school in which the academic level of in- ples of Heaven. The church has not insisted that every struction and achievement is much below that of other discipline be taught by teachers who are willing to accept schools. We have been advised by Ellen White that our the following inspired counsel: "Jesus and His love schools are to take a higher position academically and should be interwoven with all the education given, as the intellectually than any other schools in the land (Life very best knowledge the students can have."—Testi- Sketches, p. 220; Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 425). Every monies, vol. 5, p. 587. department is to bear the mark of divine excellence Our church has not sufficiently trained our teachers, (Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 57). particularly those on the secondary and higher level, to In the light of these inspired counsels it is clear that our teach in this way. In the summer of 1976 we held a schools must strive for high academic achievement, for nationwide conference of college teachers that focused excellence is a principle of Heaven that students need to on this matter. We are presently endeavoring to develop learn. This does not mean that our schools exist for gifted seminars for teachers to help them fulfill this aspect. students only, but rather that every student is to be RICHARD HAMMILL taught to do his best. Vice-President, General Conference 2 (802) REVIEW, AUGUST 4, 1977 This Week Contents dent of the United States, Dr. Lall In her article, the first in a Ninety-nine ministers' ordina- General Articles Pages 4-10 received an Associate Arts in ele- three-part series, Dr. Lall dis- tions are reported in this issue's For the Younger Set 6 mentary education degree from cusses a common problem of the Newsfront, the last one in which Bible Questions Answered 9 Spicer Memorial College, Poona, modern parent: Who is to care for we will publish pictures of min- Family Living 11 India, in 1953; a Bachelor of Arts and educate young children, isters who are ordained (see When You're Young 12 in home economics from Walla especially when parents need to "New Ordinations Column to From the Editors 13 Walla College, College Place, work outside the home to support Begin Soon," p. 23). Newsfront 14-18 Washington, in 1965; a Master of the family? Bible Credits: Texts in this issue News Notes 19-21 Education from the University of "Except," Christ said, "ye be credited to N.E.B. are from The Bulletin Board 22 Oregon in 1967; and a Ph.D. in converted, and become as little New English Bible. The Dele- Back Page 23 early-childhood education from children, ye shall not enter into gates of the Oxford University Geeta R. Lall, author of the University of Oregon in 1974. the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. Press and the Syndics of the "Whose Responsibility Is Early- Dr. Lall has taught school in 18:3). Jane Turner Sandquist in Cambridge University Press 1970. Childhood Education?" (p. 4), is Bangladesh, India, Saskatch- "'You Came Back, Mom'" (p. 7) Reprinted by permission. assistant professor of education ewan, Canada, and Oregon. relates a story of the faith her son Art and Photo Credits: Pp. 4, at Andrews University, Berrien She was also a visiting professor Jordi had in her when left alone 11, Gert Busch; p. 6, Frederic Springs, Michigan, a position she of education at the University of at the airport, thus drawing a les- Lewis; p. 12, Skip Baker; all other has held since 1974. A Canadian Calgary during the summer ses- son in true, childlike faith for photos, courtesy of the respective citizen who is a permanent resi- sion of 1974. each Christian. authors. Letters [Letters submitted for publication cannot grievances against individuals— (Hosea 14:4). I realize that this is ference between right and wrong be acknowledged or returned. All must carry the writer's name and address. Short letters including being "witchhunted." all conditional. I must continue to when their mother or father can (less than 250 words) will be given preference. Just as you, I still believed in pray without ceasing for those run off with a partner who belongs All will be edited to meet space and literary requirements. The views presented do not the message and thought I would who have left and for those who to someone else, let a period of necessarily represent those of the editors or go back to the church someday. have hurt them. I must remove time elapse, be rebaptized, and of the denomination.) My "someday" took 17 years; any hard feelings and forgive as come back into the church in good A Landslide will yours? Do you have 17 years? Jesus did.

Load more