A Publication of t North Pacific Union Confere June 7, 1993 of Seventh-day Adventis Volume 88, Number 11 VIEWPOINTS When the Holy Spirit Speaks By Stephen McPherson Stephen McPherson is president of the Idaho Conference and writes from Boise, Idaho. W bile I was checking my car's tion to us. Religious, especially Spirit-filled, vital signs the other day, my people seem to be susceptible to portrayal by the popular media as religious kooks. Thus all Stephen McPherson neighbor, who was out walking his dog, passed by and struck religious individuals seem discredited. up a conversation with me. I Possible solutions as to how to solve this dilem- asked him the reason for the ma are given, for me at least, in Scripture. "For Sale" sign stuck in his yard. He answered In John, chapters 14-16, we have a discus. June 7, 1993 Vol. 88, No. 11 without blinking an eye: "God told me to sell it, sion related between Jesus and His disciples move to another part of town and help my pas- regarding the extremes that touch on today's Published by the North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. tor start another church." issues. The student can read and make a list for (USPS 394-560) "I see," I said, as I winced inwardly. himself of the salient points, but here are a few Address all letters, advertising, With the Waco debacle and other former I have noticed. and address changes to: examples of megalomania coming to mind, it is 1. The work of the Holy Spirit is to lift up GLEANER North Pacific Union Conference hard for me to react favorably to an individual Jesus. (John 14:25; 15:26; 16:14, etc.) The theme P.O. Box 16677 who unabashedly claims direct communication of the Holy Spirit influence is to draw men, Portland, OR 97216 from above for everyday affairs. Does God women, boys and girls to the Savior. No doubt (503) 255-7300 have an interest in my daily activities or does this drawing is the fulfilling of the promise of He only really get involved with something big Genesis 3:15. This desire for a Savior puts the STAFF like church decisions, at the General Con- individual at odds with his own carnal crav- ference level or the events of international pro- ings. Jesus is the great healer of humanity. The Ed Schwisow, Editor portions? Godhead has chosen Him to be the central, Todd Gessele, The people in Martin Luther's day were led pivotal point around which the whole of salva- Editorial Intern into a state of fanaticism and anarchy that dis- tion revolves. Shari Smith, Advertising/Copy Coordinator tressed Luther more than the opposition of the 2. The various aspects of Jesus' ministry are State and Roman Church (See Great Controversy the features the Holy Spirit emphasizes. (John Chapter 10). These people rejected order in pub- 16:8-11) The sacrifice, the priesthood, and the CORRESPONDENTS lic worship, obedience to civil authorities, and judgment are all calculated to help sinners real- neglected God's written word. The most radical ize that the process of salvation moves along Bradley Galambos of them accused Luther of establishing a new from phase to phase to accomplish our ultimate Alaska Russell L. Johnson, Pope, the Bible. This anarchy stymied the victory in Him. They also speak to the various Idaho advance of the reformation in Central Europe stages and needs of individual Christians. Larry Unterseher and caused the advocates of Bible reform to be 3. The Holy Spirit's work is to draw us to the Montana accused of causing insurrection resulting in the word of Christ. (John 14:26; 16:13,14) The New Jay E. Prall, Helen R. Smith Oregon breakdown of society. Luther and other reform- Testament came about as a direct result of the Max Torkelsen II ers were blamed for deserting the people when apostles and their disciples applying the words, Upper Columbia they, the reformers, chose the side of law and character and teaching of Jesus to local or gener- Dennis N. Carlson Washington order. The momentum of the reform movement al situations they saw in the church in their day. Melodie Parks among the common people was never regained. 4. The Holy Spirit is tied to historical events Walla Walla College Yet we are still to be counseled and guided and soul winning. (John 14:1-3; 14:6; 14:20) The by impressions from the Holy Spirit (See Steps Holy Spirit's work is to draw the sinner to Submissions — Send all announce- ments, conference news stories and fami- to Christ, p. 92). In some ways we Adventists Christ. Both sinners inside and outside the ly notices to your local conference corre- may be envious of individuals who sound as if church can "feel" the work of the third person of spondent. All submissions will be han- dled with care; however, the publisher the Holy Spirit were guiding their every deci- the Godhead in their lives. If they so choose, assumes no responsibility for the safety or timely return of artwork, photographs, sion. The conundrum this produces arises they can intensify His work by deliberately or manuscripts. when, even to non-believers, the actions of the choosing any of the above exercises. Good Please Note—Every reasonable effort is so-called Spirit-filled individuals don't square impulses, the desire to know more about Jesus, made to screen all editorial material to avoid error in this publication. The North with generally accepted morality. The tempta- the longing to be more like Him, are all placed in Pacific Union GLEANER does not accept tion, then, seems to be for secular society to the human heart by the special Gift from Jesus. responsibility for categorical or typograph- ical errors nor for advertisers' claims. abandon any notion of the Spirit's communica- This is as fresh and relevant as tomorrow. North Pacific Union Conference GLEAN- ER, (USPS 394-560) is published semi- monthly except July and December and printed at Color Press, 312 S. College Ave., College Place, Wash. 99324-1222. Second class postage paid in College ABOUT THE COVER Place, WA 99324. Subscription rate: $10.00 per year. LITHO II S.A. CP46261 The cover scene for the June 7, 1993, issue, was taken near Denali National Park, 220 miles north of POSTMASTERS ONLY: Anchorage, Alaska. At the time, photographer Gary Lackie was camping near a small lake where the blue- Send Form 3579 to berries were large and plentiful. Lackie used a Canon EOS-630 with a 100 millimeter macro lens mounted on North Pacific Union GLEANER a tripod and Fujichrome 50 film. He shot it at F22 for six seconds. P.O. Box 397 2 • NPUC GLEANER • June 7, 1993 VIEWPOINTS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Belfry Benedictions Editorial Note: As the heavy mail to the Letters Policy: Letters to the GLEANER edi- issue in question. Letters which direct person- GLEANER regarding steeples on churches tor are welcome. Letters must be signed and al criticism at individuals will not be printed; has begun to repeat arguments already con- should not exceed 150 words in length. conversely, letters which promote a person by sidered in this column, the following will be Letter writers are urged to limit their letters name or description for gratuitous praise will the final letters printed in this round of dis- to commentary on editorial matter appearing be declined for publication. Highest priority cussion on the steeple question. in the journal, and should specifically refer will be given to letters which add information to the issue date and article in question. and commentary, pro and con, to material I am writing in regard to the editorial Priority will be given to letters received by appearing in this journal. Address letters to response in the May 3 GLEANER. Not only the editor within 45 days of the cover date of Editor, Box 16677, Portland, OR 97216-0677. did the names for the days of the week repre- sent pagan deities, our early church pioneers chose to avoid their usage, opting for "First-day" and "Second-day" and so on. They Name-of-God Coercion Dramatic Turn-Around soon, however, realized that the alleged pagan connection simply was no longer significant in The mindless tragedy at Waco, Texas, I was saddened by Ken Campbell's letter to contemporary culture. brought anger and sorrow to hundreds of the editor in the April 19 GLEANER where he Let's not forget that the Battle Creek "Dime" readers. Innocent children and confused adults criticized drama. Christian drama made me Tabernacle (built in 1879) had multiple steeples, died in the flames of a cult-induced inferno grow closer to Christ during my teen years and several even adorned with crosses, yet we find instigated by a subversive leader. I've seen many lives transformed for Christ no outcry from Ellen G. White or others... The real tragedy wasn't only the death of because of it.... Dean C. Tupper nearly 100 people but how, even amongst Jesus often taught by painting pictures in Newport, Wash. church members, a single person can manipu- peoples' minds through His parables. This is late, control, and mesmerize people in the what Christian drama strives to do. Just . Whoever thought of, or learned, that a "name of God." look at the success of Faith for Today's steeple on a church was a sex or fertility symbol, To a lesser degree, sometimes a church "Westbrook Hospital" TV drama series. Or the must have their mind on such things a great member may control or abuse a person under great biblical drama presentations, "Mary's deal.