MESSENGER CHURCH PAPER FOR SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS IN THE BRITISH ISLES Volume 90 Number 25/26 6 December 1985 SDA CHURCH TOP OF AGENDA AT WINDSOR CASTLE MEETING by Borge Schantz, NEWBOLD COLLEGE `Because of their unique self- direction of Dr. Beach, that he Adventist presence. The Div- men and women of the various understanding, Seventh-day was pleased that there were not ision's Dr. Jan Paulsen and the Churches and denominations Adventists have not . joined only Adventists in the Lam- BUC's H. L. Calkins and W. J. who had members in many the ecumenical movement' beth Palace on this occasion. In Arthur were part of this pres- parts of the world was friendly, were the words of William G. addition to Dr. Johnsson and ence. frank, challenging but uncom- Johnsson, editor of Adventist Dr. Beach, there was a strong The dialogue between these mitting. Review as he addressed thirty The 1985 Conference had select Church leaders rep- the profile of the SDA Church resenting more than 800 as the main point on the million Christians world-wide. agenda. William Johnsson in He continued: 'While they (the his keynote address touched on SDAs) desire and seek fellow- the uniqueness of Adventism ship and co-operation with dealing with both distinctive other men of faith, they do not teachings as well as the wish to be restricted in doc- Church's involvement in social trine, but especially in mission.' concern world-wide. The lec- The occasion was the 1985 ture was well received, evident Conference of Secretaries of from the many questions and Christian World Communions positive comments from many held on 21-24 October within of the outstanding Church the precincts of Windsor leaders. Castle. This conference works independently of the World Council of Churches. Dr. B. B. Beach, director of the Public \141WimPumftiow Affairs and Religious Liberty Department at the GC, serves as Secretary to this auspicious Conference. His appointment is interesting in that SDAs are not members of the WCC, although they have observer status. They have seen Dr. Beach's appointment as an opportunity not only to listen, but also bear witness to the SDA uniqueness. The Conference commenced with a reception in Lambeth Palace, hosted by the Arch- bishop of Canterbury, Dr. Robert Runcie (a personal friend of Dr. Beach). In his opening address to the thirty secretaries from many lands and Christian traditions, the Archbishop remarked— humorously — looking in the Home Study International All youth are invited to the North British Conference Stephanie Barr is one of our youngest stu- dents. With her mummy's help she is working GRAND CAMP REUNION through the PRE-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 1 course and thoroughly enjoying it, so her 24-26 January 1986 parents told me enthusiastically. at EASTWOOD GRANGE CENTRE, DERBYSHIRE Why don't you give your pre-school children the same opportunity? Write for details to' This year there will be ONE GRAND CAMP REUNION for Home Study International, all the Aberdaron camps. However, young people who did Newbold College, not go to camp are also invited, especially those who are Bracknell, away from home doing further study. Berks., RG12 5AN Secretary's note: At the other end of the age-scale is a lady of 81 who The reunion will be held in the Eastwood Grange Con- has recently booked up for our INTERMEDIATE GREEK course. How ference Centre, set in the lovely Derbyshire countryside. about that?! This was by far the most popular vote of all those asked, because it is central, warm, and provides good food in a relaxed atmosphere. The exciting programme will include spiritual uplift and challenge, a film and social, games and walks, and hope- GIVING: fully a visit to a local leisure centre. SYSTEMATIC, SPONTANEOUS—OR BOTH? Guest speakers: Pastor D. Elias, Padre at Senior Special Budgeting is essential in every aspect of our financial dealings, es- Pursuits Camp and formerly the Irish Youth leader. pecially when setting aside offerings. Dr. M. Pearson, Newbold College, who really challenges a The work of the Lord on earth is too great and too serious to be upheld young person's thinking. by random, loose change benevolence. We need to plan what percent- Pastor A. R. Rodd, North British Conference Youth director. age of income we can give for offerings, home and overseas (Sabbath school). The cost is £25 for the weekend, but there is a SUBSIDY God never ceases to surprise us by His goodness, and the surprise is of £8, making the total cost just El 7 . This is a bargain even greater if we have faith in His promises to provide. Birthday weekend. Please apply at once for the application form as offerings are yearly opportunities to say Thank You to God for another places may be limited. year of life. As God blesses, we can express our gratitude with a thank offering. The Investment offering is a way of raising money for the work of God without straining our own resources. There are dozens of ways in which CAMP REUNION APPLICATION investing can work if we will dedicate some time. Will you share with Please send me an application form for the Camp Reunion, 24-26 MESSENGER readers some of your Investment success stories? January 1986. Giving to God is something like giving to the family. Systematic, yes, but with the spontaneity and the loving surprises that are part of being in Name Age a happy relationship. God will never be a debtor. H. I. DUNTON, MA., PhD., BUC Sabbath school director Address Postcode Church PLACE YOUR ORDERS FOR: ■ 'Joy to the World' Christmas cards from the VOP, and POST TO: PASTOR A. R. RODD, NBC YOUTH DIRECTOR, 22 ZULLA ROAD, MAPPERLEY PARK, NOTTINGHAM, NG3 5BZ ■ 1986 MORNING WATCH devotionals from the Press Telephone: (0602) 606312. WHILE STOCKS LAST DEVOTIONAL course He did. He was born God. But on John 1:1-3, 14, page 1129. He never used this advantage, because Another mystery that we often waste He laid down the power of divinity endless hours in discussing is how Jesus within Him and lived His life as a man could be in every way tempted as we THE MYSTERY OF through the power of His Father from are. 'It is a mystery that is left unex- above Him. He gave us an example of plained to mortals that Christ could be THE INCARNATION victory from above rather than from tempted in all points like as we are.' — ibid., pages 1128, 1129. by Morris Venden within. Obviously then, man's beginning The two mysteries concerning the Even though Jesus took on Himself our is different from that of Jesus. This nature of Christ are (1) how He could infirmities, or weaknesses, He lived leads some to insist that there would be born sinless of human parentage, without sinning, doing always those have to be a doctrine to explain how and (2) how He could be in all points things that pleased His Father. Not Jesus could be born sinless, of human tempted as we are. only did He not sin, but He was sinless. parentage. But there are some things There are two things of major im- He loved righteousness and hated in- that we cannot and do not need to ex- portance that we should remember iquity. He was tempted more than any- plain. 'The incarnation of Christ has concerning the nature of Christ. one who ever lived, but He overcame ever been, and will ever remain, a mys- Number one, He had no advantage in the same way that we can overcome. tery. That which is revealed, is for us over us in meeting sin and the devil, `For we have not an high priest which and for our children, but let every and number two, He overcame sin and cannot be touched with the feeling of human being be warned from the the devil in precisely the same way we our infirmities; but was in all points ground of making Christ altogether can overcome. By His death, Jesus tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' human, such an one as ourselves; for it provided a way of escape for us, that we Heb. 4:15. It is often asked, 'Didn't cannot be.' — The SDA Bible Com- might not die; and by His life He gave Jesus have an advantage over us?' Of mentary, Ellen G. White Comments, us an example of how to live. 2 EDITORIAL pulpits to deny this foundation-stone truth. Under a confu- `THE GREATEST WANT OF THE sion of ill-defined words they would re-introduce the theol- WORLD . ogy of the rubble that almost broke Luther's spirit. The very essence of the Gospel is against them. Every principle of . is the want of men — men who will not be bought or sold, New Testament theology is against them. The apostle Paul men who in their inmost souls are true and honest . wrote the epistle to the Galatians to confound them. The fudgers of the issues and the time-servers, the The Gospel again is under attack. It is time once again to `operators' and the manipulators of men, and whosoever stand out for what is right and true. loveth and maketh a half-truth, assorted pullers of strings, On a bitter, moon-cold night of winter a Roman legion political strategists and self-interest seekers are, compared was encamped on a lakeside in France. Forty heroes for with the greatest want of the world, at best, surplus to Christ, like Luther in a later century, refused to renounce requirements, at worst sabateurs of the Kingdom of God their faith.