Keli Pepa:
Fame and Finding God a christian perspective on the world today
In this issue October 2024 WHAT IN THE WORLD Pg 04 THE TRUTH ABOUT HALLOWEEN Pg 06 DOES SOY MAKE MEN MORE FEMININE? Pg 12 GIFTS FOR GOOD Pg 18
FAME, LOSS, LEUKAEMIA AND FINDING GOD
Keli Pepa’s amazing story PAGE 32
FOCUS Pg 24 ASK PASTOR JESSE Pg 30 MY SEARCH FOR THE REAL DRACULA Pg 40 IN GOD WE TRUST? Pg 48 THE COMPLEX GOD Pg 54 BUDGET-FRIENDLY FOODS FOR A HEALTHIER GUT Pg 60
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SUDOKU AND CROSSWORD PUZZLE Pg 62
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The Times They Are A-Changin’ Recently, I introduced my wife to Bob Dylan. It turns out, in all her decades of music listening, she’d never heard “Like a Rolling Stone”, “Blowin’ in the Wind” or even the aforementioned title of this editorial. Suffice to say, I was able to educate her. Dylan’s 1964 “The Times They Are a-Changin’” is as relevant today as it was back then. Upon its release, the song became an anthem for civil right activists and hippies alike, and as a sobering reflection on an increasingly complex world. Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, there’s been a popular meme circulating the internet that is some version of, “I’m tired of being part of a major historical event”. War in Ukraine, war in Gaza, a coup in Myanmar, an assassination attempt on a former US president, a global inflation crisis, the death of history’s longest-reigning British monarch, the rise of AI . . . all in the last three years. The times truly are a-changin’, and far too quickly for my liking. Socrates once said, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” In times like these, it’s tempting to hold on to what’s familiar. Perhaps, instead, we ought to be focusing on new opportunities we can seize in the changing seasons. At Signs of the Times, we’re often consumed with what’s happening in the world but we’re constantly challenging ourselves to remain hopeful. So, whether it’s talking about Halloween (p6), the highs and lows of fame and fortune (p32) or the complexity of politics (p48), may you find hope in the midst of these changing times. JESSE HERFORD Associate Editor
VOL 138 NO 9
ISSN 1038-9733 EXECUTIVE PUBLISHER Brad Kemp EDITOR Jarrod Stackelroth ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jesse Herford ASSISTANT EDITOR Zanita Fletcher COPYEDITOR Tracey Bridcutt GRAPHIC DESIGN Theodora Pau’u Talia Valderrama PHONE +61 2 9847 2222 EMAIL info@signsmag.com WEBSITE signsofthetimes.org.au ADDRESS Adventist Media PO Box 1115, Wahroonga New South Wales 2076 SUBSCRIPTIONS Kelli Geelan PHONE +61 3 5965 6300 Australia/New Zealand, $A28/$NZ30; South Pacific countries, $A41; Other countries $A51 Published since 1886, Signs of the Times is printed 11 times a year by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and is registered as a periodical. Seventh-day Adventist Church (SPD) Limited ABN 59 093 117 689 NOTE The inclusion of a person or their image within does not imply their endorsement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church or its beliefs. Unless otherwise stated, Bible verses are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, Anglicised. Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton. All rights reserved worldwide. COVER IMAGE: Neemia Valli
WHAT IN THE WORLD
Closing the gap The 2024 Annual Data Compilation Report tracks progress on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, aimed at improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. While many of the targets are yet to be reached, some positive improvements have been seen in healthy birthweights, students attaining Year 12 qualifications, an increase in employment and protection of the sea country. The government is still seeking to reduce youth detention rates, increase life expectancy, reduce suicide rates and more.—Education HQ
A distaste for lavender CHINA
Mosquitoes don’t just leave us itching when they bite. They can also carry pathogens that lead to nasty diseases including dengue, malaria and yellow fever. Thankfully, scientists and textile engineers from Soochow University in China have discovered that lavender extract makes excellent mosquito repellent and have turned the oils into long-lasting mosquitorepelling fabric that can be fashioned into outerwear.—The Economist 4
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JOEY CSUNYO—UNSPLASH, PIXABAY, BRETT JORDAN, TOM FISK, QUANG NGUYEN VINH— PEXELS
AUSTRALIA
“Google it” UNITED STATES
Google handles around 90 per cent of search queries in America, forming the foundation of the world’s largest advertising business. Its popularity is due to it often being the default search engine on phones and browsers. However, the US Department of Justice has ruled that Google has built an illegal monopoly by breaking antitrust laws and making multibillion-dollar deals. This could lead to Google being forced to make drastic changes. —The Economist
Record-low poverty rates INDONESIA
Encouraging new data reveals that Indonesia’s poverty rate has hit a historic low with some three million Indonesians coming out of poverty in the past decade. The figures are consistent with World Bank data that shows the number of people living in extreme poverty globally fell from 38 per cent in 1990 to 8.4 per cent in 2019.—Positive News
Supercharged silk AUSTRALIA
Engineers at the University of NSW have created a new material made of silk that could help regenerate heart tissue. They’ve taken silk from moths, and turned it into a form of jelly. It has been shown in experiments with mice that it can help regenerate cells and tissues. The ultimate goal is to continue to develop the material to assist treating cardiovascular diseases and support the heart muscle in those who have had a heart attack.—UNSW Sydney OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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The Truth about
n e e w o Hall It’s a spooky season and one that many find uncomfortable. Where did Halloween come from and should we celebrate it?
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JESSE HERFORD
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fire and mumming
The true point of origin for Halloween is contentious. Some scholars believe its roots are in the Celtic festival Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”), which occurred between the autumn equinox and winter solstice. We don’t have much detail on what happened anciently, but it seems to have been a liminal festival, when portals were opened and the barrier between this world and the “Otherworld” (the world of fae and pagan gods) grew thin. Bonfires were lit, sacrifices were made (some think human, but most likely animal) and participants went door-to-door in costumes (thought to protect them from evil spirits), seeking a place at the dinner table. Somewhat like the modern Christmas tradition of carolling, this “mumming” was transactional, where the “mummer” recited poetry in exchange for food. There’s no such thing as a free meal, I suppose. There’s a gap between the ancient Celtic observance of Samhain and
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umpkin heads, skeletons and excessive sweet treats: let’s face it, whether you love or loathe Halloween, it’s a supremely weird holiday. I’ll admit to personally being annoyed at the increasing number of kids dressed in superhero and Disney outfits knocking at my door in recent years—but I’ll also likewise admit to giving in to their cute faces and outstretched buckets. It turns out that even though I dislike Halloween, I’m still a sucker. Most of us intuitively know how far removed the modern Halloween is from its ancient origins—but it begs the question, where did it come from? The short answer is simple. Various religious holidays such as (but not limited to) Samhain and All Hallows’ Eve were practiced for hundreds of years by Europeans until they were imported to the United States of America in the 19th century. The resulting American influence changed many of these observances over time, morphing them into what we now know as Halloween.
All Hallows’ Eve, though some assert that All Hallows’ Eve was created to usurp Samhain. Whatever the case, the observance of Celtic festivals faded as the supremacy of Christianity grew in medieval Europe. Samhain eventually faded into obscurity and in its place, All Hallows’ Eve became a yearly tradition for every Roman Catholic.
trading Gaelic for Latin
The word Halloween comes from the Old English word we render in modern English “All Hallows’ Eve”. Even was the Scottish term for “evening” and was often shortened to e’en, thus “All Hallows’ e’en” became Hallowe’en, or just Halloween. Originally, All Hallows’ Eve wasn’t even the main event—it was merely the precursor to All Hallows’ Day (also called All Saints’ Day) on November 1 and its follow-up, All Souls’ Day on November 2. All Hallows’ Day was a celebration of saints and martyrs of the past and All Souls’ Day was a time for praying for dearly departed souls who had not yet reached heaven (as per the medieval Catholic view of purgatory). By the 13th century, this threeday holiday was mandatory for all Medieval Catholics, thanks in no small part to the influence of several Celtic popes. During the celebration, children would go door-to-door collecting “soul cakes” (like a shortbread biscuit but containing raisins, the worst dessert ingredient!) for the purpose of nourishing the souls of
the dead. However, as the children acted as the souls’ representatives, they also ate the soul cakes on their behalf. Sometimes they would carry jack-o-lanterns fashioned from turnips, which either represented the souls of the dead themselves or acted as a deterrent for evil spirits.
moving to America
This all sounds spooky but if you’ve ever walked past a house kitted out in Halloween decorations, the traditions of reciting poetry for food or collecting raisin biscuits probably seems tame by comparison. That’s because everything changed for Halloween when Europeans emigrated to the United States. Like Christmas, St Patrick’s Day and Easter, Halloween observance was retained and expanded as a way for immigrants to hold on to a sense of their cultural identity in the new world. Turnip jack-o-lanterns were traded in for pumpkins as they were much easier to carve. Then, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, literature and art began to influence Halloween in new ways. Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein are both examples of popular culture shaping Halloween. “The theme of death and the dead is a cornerstone in the Gothic fiction genre. When one hears the word Gothic fiction, the first thing that comes to mind is dead bodies and vampires that come to life again to horrify people. Likewise, the most notable themes in the celebration of OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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Halloween are death and the dead.”1 Eventually, American Halloween threw out completely the veneration of the saints and remembrance of departed souls in favour of the celebration of everything dark and spooky. In the same way, the collection of soul cakes and recitation of poetry was exchanged for trickor-treating and dressing up in scary costumes. In the 20th century, Halloween evolved even further. Witches and skeletons costumes were still often used, but it became an excuse for kids (and adults alike) to dress up according to the current cultural zeitgeist. Mickey and Minnie Mouse were popular during the Great Depression, as was (unfortunately) unflattering depictions of black and Asian people. Later, thanks to the overwhelming popularity of Star Wars, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader costumes became dominant. Politics wasn’t off limits either, with Richard Nixon masks being worn during the Watergate scandal. Of course, that extends to today. You’re much more likely to see children in your local area on October 31 dressed up as Spider-Man or
Elsa than as a vampire or werewolf. So, where does that leave us? The modern Halloween is just as divorced from its 19th century counterpart as the 19th century version was from its Catholic medieval ancestor—and as it in turn was from Samhain—if indeed they were ever related at all. Personally, though I don’t understand the appeal of Halloween, even I can recognise how it has become an outlet for cultural expression. If you want to know “what’s popular with the kids”, all you need to do is observe how they dress come Halloween.
Reframing Halloween’s themes as “fun” or “harmless” may confuse your child
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what about today?
The question on every parent’s lips remains, “What do we do with Halloween?” If you’re suspicious of its ancient origins or just its spooky imagery, there are a few things we should consider. First, we shouldn’t ignore its murky origins. As a Christian, I believe that there is a spiritual realm and that it is inhabited by not just the forces of good—but evil, too. Even if you disagree with me, you can’t deny that the themes of Halloween aren’t all that positive. Is this what we want to celebrate with our children,
“fun” or “harmless” may confuse your child about what is and isn’t okay when they encounter them in a very real way elsewhere. Drawing a line in the sand may make you feel like a killjoy but by doing so, you will establish valuable boundaries that may serve your child when they must make decisions for themselves in the future. Whatever they choose, you’ll be able to rest easy, knowing you’ve built them a solid foundation from which to live. Jesse Herford is a pastor and associate editor for the Australia/New Zealand edition of Signs of the Times. He lives in Canberra, Australia with his wife, daughter and miniature schnauzer. 1. <iasj.net/iasj/download/d024f61142120e22>
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even if it’s just one day a year? Every child asks questions about death, and I certainly wouldn’t want my kid’s first exposure to it be through a Halloween display. I believe, as the Bible teaches, that the “dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5), so why try to reach them? It’s possible that in doing so we may end up communing with very real forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Second, while we shouldn’t gloss over Halloween’s sinister undertones, we also shouldn’t become fearmongers. The reality is, the most immediate danger your child is in during Halloween is probably a sore stomach. Having said that, reframing Halloween’s themes as
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Does Soy Make Men More
Feminine? Have you heard soy is linked to cancer risk or can “feminise” men? Here’s what the science really says. MART PRODUCTION—PEXELS
DR KAREN MURPHY
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oy is common in many Asian cuisines and is growing more popular in Western countries as many people aim for predominantly plant-based diets. It offers many potential health benefits and is generally cheaper than meat. However, you might have heard soy is linked to cancer risk or that it can have a “feminising” effect on men. But what does the research actually say on this? In fact, most research finds eating a moderate amount of soy is unlikely to cause problems and may even provide benefits. All said, you can safely include moderate amounts of soy foods in your daily diet.
does soy “feminise” men?
Soy is rich in high quality protein and contains B vitamins, fibre,
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minerals and the isoflavones daidzein, genistein and glycitein. Isoflavones have a similar structure to natural oestrogen and are sometimes called “phytoestrogens” (phyto means plant). Soy isoflavones can bind to oestrogen receptors in the body. They can act in a way similar to natural oestrogen but with a much, much weaker effect. Some studies have flagged concerns but these tend to be related to people consuming extremely high amounts of soy—such as one unusual case report about a man with gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue in men) who, it turned out, was drinking almost three litres of soy milk a day.1 As one literature review noted,2 many of the other studies highlighting concerns in this area are based on animal trials or rare one-off cases.
what about soy and cancer risk? One study over more than seven years of 73,223 Chinese women found: “Women who consumed a high amount of soy foods consistently during adolescence and adulthood had a substantially reduced risk of breast cancer. No significant association with soy food consumption was found for postmenopausal breast cancer.”3 This could be due to different types and amounts of soy eaten (as well as genetics). Some animal trials and studies in
cells show very high doses of isoflavones or isolated soy protein may stimulate breast cancer growth, but this is not evident in human trials. A study of Japanese males reported that high intake of miso soup (1-5 cups per day) might increase the risk of gastric cancer. But the authors also said: “We thought that some other ingredients in miso soup might also play a role . . . For example, high concentrations of salt in miso soup could also increase the risk of gastric cancer.”4
what about heart health?
Soy contains isoflavones, healthy fats like polyunsaturated fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals, and is also low in saturated fat. Swapping meat in the diet with soy products is going to reduce the
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The same literature review noted that while more long-term data in Western countries is needed, moderate amounts of soy in “traditional soy preparations offer modest health benefits with very limited risk for potential adverse health effects”.
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Replacing red meat with plant proteins including soy products has been associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease amount of saturated fat you eat while also boosting your intake of important nutrients. A study with nearly half a million Chinese adults free of cardiovascular disease showed those who consumed soy four or more days a week had significantly lower risk of death from a heart attack compared with those who never ate soy. Replacing red meat with plant proteins including soy products has been associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease.
moderate intake is fine
If you want to include soy in your diet, choose whole soy foods like calcium-enriched soy beverages, tempeh, soy bread, tofu and soybeans over highly processed options high in salt and saturated fat. Research on soy is ongoing and we still need more long-term data on intakes in Australia and health benefits. Overall, however, moderate amounts of soy foods can be consumed as part of a healthy diet and
may even help with some symptoms of menopause. According to the Victorian government’s Better Health Channel: “One or two daily serves of soy products can be beneficial to our health.”5 Harvard University’s School of Public Health says soy “can safely be consumed several times a week, and probably more often, and is likely to provide health benefits—especially when eaten as an alternative to red and processed meat”.6 So don’t stress too much about the soy milk in your hot drinks or the tofu burger for lunch. Dr Karen Murphy is an associate professor of nutrition and dietetics and an accredited practicing dietitian at the University of South Australia. This article was originally published in The Conversation. To find this article and more, visit <theconversation. com.au>. 1. <sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/ S1530891X20433038> 2. <mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/1/43#B280-nutrients-10-00043> 3. <mdpi.com/2072-6643/10/1/43#B280-nutrients-10-00043> 4. <pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34076716/> 5 <betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/soybeans> 6 <nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/soy/>
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Gifts for Good The Bible says that God gives His children spiritual gifts. But what are they for and how are they any different to our inborn or acquired skills and abilities? ZANITA FLETCHER
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hen I was in my midtwenties, I attended a university in Brisbane, Australia, two hours from where I lived. I had a friend in the city who I’d sometimes stay with to save travelling back and forth on back-toback uni days. In those few years, my friend and I got really into personality tests. We’d send each other different ones—be it the Myers-Briggs, the Enneagram or the Big 5—and when we’d meet up, we’d get dinner, go for long walks by the Brisbane River and discuss what we had learnt about ourselves. What we thought was true or untrue, whether we felt inspired to change, and so on. One day, we even created our own test. I know some people are sceptical of personality tests and don’t believe there’s much merit in them. But I’ve found them to be extremely helpful for my personal growth. I haven’t believed every word of them, based my career choices on their results or chosen my relationships accordingly, but they have helped me understand parts of myself better and have highlighted things about myself that I wasn’t aware of.
hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others” (1 Peter 4:8-10). In this instance, it just says gifts but in other parts of the Bible, it specifically says spiritual gifts. Oftentimes Christians and preachers will talk about these gifts in the context of how they can be implemented within the church building and program. Spiritual gifts may of course be used within those contexts (and some may be more appropriately used there), but they were intended to reach out to the rest of the world too.
different kinds of gifts
what sets them apart?
The Bible also talks about each of us having gifts. Before Jesus died on the cross, He promised His followers that one day He would return to save humanity. The disciple Peter later encourages Christians to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer 20
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what are the gifts?
Throughout the New Testament, many gifts are mentioned including service, teaching, encouragement, leadership, mercy, wisdom, faith, healing, generosity, hospitality, discernment, evangelism and administration (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4). In the various places they are listed, there are some overlaps, but there are also some differences. This suggests that there are many other ways in which God can use us.
You might be wondering how spiritual gifts differ from any other skill or ability that we are born with or acquire throughout our lives. Unlike the gifts that are spoken about in personality tests, spiritual gifts are specifically “given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7), or
as the New Living Translation puts it, “so that we can help each other”. It’s true that we all possess gifts of some kind, whether we believe in God or not. But many of us go about using them with mostly ourselves and our direct loved ones in mind. Whether to advance our goals, popularity, employment, acquisition, enjoyment or something else.
for better or worse
WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
For example, let’s look at two contrasting figures. Take Fred Rogers, who was a church minister and host of the TV show Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Rogers used his gifts of teaching and wisdom to positively educate children about themselves and the world around them. Then, there’s Andrew Tate. Tate is a social media personality and “self-proclaimed misogynist”. We could say his gifts are in leadership and though we might argue about how he’s using them, we can’t deny that he has them. In a survey of 30 female Australian teachers, they reported “a sharp increases in sexism, misogyny and sexual harassment in their classrooms, and also identified the explicit influence of Tate on their students’ attitudes and behaviours.” He’s currently facing a legal battle in Romania on charges of human trafficking and rape.1 This example might be extreme, but there are many people in our own cities and on our TV screens who we could identify as being gifted, but who are using their OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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“I’m not good at that!”
Another difference between normal gifts and spiritual gifts is spiritual gifts are things we may or may not have a natural ability in. Sometimes God will use our inborn or acquired talents and other times we will find ourselves inclined to do something that feels uncomfortable, difficult or out of our comfort zone. For example, one of my spiritual gifts is hospitality. By that I don’t just mean inviting people to my house and feeding them. I mean the kind of hospitality that makes people feel welcome and creates a safe space
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for others. I could say that is a gift I received after deciding to follow God, but when I look over my life, there are clear links. I was raised in a household with an open-door policy. Growing up, our house was always full of kids from the neighbourhood who would pile in after school without parents giving the okay. My parents have always loved having guests over and get excited when people show up unannounced. They will gladly stop what they are doing and give whoever is at the door their full attention. But, in the last few years, a gift has risen to the surface that makes me feel much more uncomfortable: leadership. This is a gift that has been recognised by others and an area I have come to be more interested in. Had you suggested it a few years ago, I would have freaked out and said, “No thanks, not me.” Leadership is not something that comes naturally. Yet, not only has my desire for those skills grown, but I’ve found myself in the presence of many great leaders who have mentored me and inspired me in that area.
identifying your gifts
Knowing and being aware of our gifts helps us to focus and be intentional about the ways we can be most helpful to other people. If you’re unsure what your spiritual gifts are, here are some ways you can find out: • There are many spiritual gifts tests online that you can do. They can be helpful, but as with
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gifts in a way that is damaging or a disservice to others. Spiritual gifts differ from other gifts in that they are always about the betterment of others. The apostle Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 13, that love is a virtue that is to characterise the desire for and the exercise of all spiritual gifts. He says, without love, “I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (v10).
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personality tests, the results can differ and aren’t always accurate. Do some self-reflection. What are you good at? What moves your heart? In what ways do you feel empowered to serve that might not be natural to other people? If you go to church, is there something you’re always itching to do or fix? Sometimes the area in which you find yourself frustrated is the area where you can be of use. Often other people will be able to identify what gifts you have in a way you mightn’t be able to see yourself. Go to wise people who know you well and ask them what they think your gifts are.
putting them to use
Reporter Barri Segal wrote an article addressing a poll that Bankrate had done.2 The poll showed that nearly half of adults (47 per cent) in the United States had gift cards at home, leaving around $US23 billion in value on the table across the nation. This added up to approximately an average of $US187 per person. It’s hard to imagine . . . and when it comes to money we churn at the loss. Yet it reminds me of the gifts we’ve been given, many of which sadly aren’t being used. The Bible says that spiritual gifts are given to every believer by God to love one another and strengthen others in their faith (Romans 1:11,12).
If you don’t yet know God, then exploring your gifts might open up a world of possibilities to you. But irrespective of where you are on your journey, every single one of us has gifts that we can use for the betterment of the world. I hope you don’t let your gifts go to waste like the billions of dollars from unused gift cards, but that you use them to serve, strengthen and care for others. After all, we all want to live in a world where love abounds. Zanita Fletcher is the assistant editor for the Australia/New Zealand edition of Signs of the Times. She writes from the Gold Coast, Queensland. 1. <theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/andrew-tates-extreme-views-about-women-are-infiltrating-australian-schools/284918> 2. <bankrate.com/personal-finance/unused-giftcards-survey/>
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Focus
How to restore your attention span and ability to focus in a hyper-distracted world. MIKAELA CONNELL
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n a world full of carefully crafted apps that curate our attention for hours, focus is in short supply. As a writer, the tool for my craft is simultaneously the gateway to endless rabbit holes. One moment I’ll be researching a novel and seconds later, I’ve been whirled away into the world of “hot trends”, “hedgehog videos” and “who wore it best at the Met Gala”. Focus, like time, is an asset. I not only have to focus when writing but readers do too. You might not be trying to write a story. Maybe you’re trying to do an assignment, check your emails or look up how long it takes to boil an egg. But my guess is that you’ve probably found yourself distracted and struggling to stay on task . . . if not, give me your tips. To be focused is to have your attention so immersed in a task, environment, person or hobby that hours can pass in that state, yet it feels like mere minutes. In today’s distracted world, this can seem nearly impossible to maintain. But with discipline and awareness, it is possible to strengthen our ability to focus. I’ve found that the key to restoring my attention span and ability to focus is in doing less, not more.
slowing down
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In his book Stolen Focus, journalist Johann Hari interviews cognitive neuroscientist professor Earl Miller, who states that “Slowness nurtures attention, whereas speed shatters it”. Miller explains that even tasks such as speed reading have shown to decrease comprehension. While you may retain headlines and catch the general gist, the details of what you read probably won’t sink in as much. More and more people have been embracing the concept of slow living over the years, countercultural to the capitalistic grind. Rather than promoting laziness, slow living is about mindfulness, being present and living conscientiously. In a fast-paced society, it is difficult to resist the urge to speed through every task. But slowing down can enhance our focus and as a result increase productivity. Slow living guru, Carl Honoré, jokes of the irony that “everyone these days wants to know how to slow down, but they want to know how to slow down really quickly”. Honoré, who researched this popular return to slowness all around
flow state
Steven Kotler, executive director of the Flow Research Collective, defines flow as “an optimal state of consciousness where we feel our best and perform our best”. Can you think of a moment where you were in a state of flow? What were you doing and how might you return to this state? I know I’m in a flow state when my inner critic is quiet and words are seemingly pouring out of me. This feeling can be like that of distraction, but rather than depleting you, it lifts the spirit. For example, I can spend
hours distracted by my phone, but it doesn’t leave me with a sense of purpose or accomplishment. The passing time that flow creates makes me feel proud of myself and excited to keep going. Kotler says that “the most basic human motivator is curiosity. One of the things we get from curiosity is focus for free.” Being led by curiosity can make a task feel effortless, as it becomes rewarding and enjoyable. For me, writing can feel like a chore when I anticipate the work ahead. But when I write about a topic that I find interesting, the research is effortless and the work feels easy. According to Kotler, when we experience novelty, complexity and awe, it produces dopamine in the brain, encouraging that state of flow. When it comes to tasks you’re resisting, find an aspect that intrigues you, sparks your curiosity and makes you want to delve deeper into the topic.
practise monotasking
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the world, also found that when individuals decreased the hours in a work week, they increased in productivity and got just as much, if not more, work done. Slowing down is essential because it is the state through which creative ideas are born. You’ve probably noticed how difficult it is, not just to be creative, but to be productive when you’ve got a million things on your mind and can’t stop thinking about your impending to-do list.
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In break periods, it’s important to allow yourself to be bored competing distractions. One would think that the fastest way to achieve more would be to multitask. Professor Miller says that multitasking is the act of shifting one’s attention back and forth. As a result of switching tasks at a rapid pace, we lose the time it takes to refocus between each transition. Miller says, “Your brain can only produce one or two thoughts in your conscious mind at once.” When it comes to restoring our focus and attention span, it’s
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important to work within these limitations, allowing ourselves to concentrate on one thing at a time. Rian Doris, CEO of Flow Research Collective, emphasises that in break periods, it’s important to allow yourself to be bored from time to time. You want to avoid having a dopamine-fuelled break where the distraction is more rewarding than the work, as you want your brain to desire getting back to task. Stretching, walking and meditating are some good examples of things to do during this time. Some other ways to incorporate the practice of monotasking in your everyday life could be to go for a drive without listening to music or podcasts and allow your mind to wander. Or during dinner, eliminate external stimulation and simply enjoy the flavours, textures and smells of your food.
environment
In the same way you would create an environment conducive to sleep, it’s helpful to set up your space to enhance uninterrupted focus. When I know I have an assessment or project to complete the next day, I try to tidy and prepare my workspace the night before so I can start fresh with limited distractions. If I’m feeling resistant to a task and know it may be difficult to complete at home, I’ll pre-book space at my local library so I know my intention for a certain block of time is to focus on the project.
immersion
Good storytelling is powerful as it creates an immersive experience for readers or listeners that captivates their attention. While some unreliable sources have claimed that the human attention span has shrunk to that of a goldfish, journalist Shane Snow jokes that companies such as Netflix have proven this is not the case. Even in the age of TikTok and rising short-form content, we are still completely capable of holding our attention and maintaining focus. Snow writes, “Two years after the bogus ‘goldfish’ stat came out, Deloitte released a report saying that 73 per cent of people had bingewatched a show, meaning they’d watched five hours of content in a single sitting.” Being captivated by a television show for hours may not be our answer for focusing on important tasks or completing goals. However, understanding ourselves and what motivates us is vital to increase our ability to focus, as is having the confidence that we are completely capable of doing so. I’ve found it helpful to remind myself at times why a certain task is important to the bigger picture of my potential and goals. By reminding yourself of the purpose behind your task, you too can get motivated to stay focused and keep going.
It’s not by chance. Movement can do wonders for our minds and help us hold our attention for longer. In the book Built to Move, Kelly and Juliet Starrett explain that walking can “help an unfocused mind become more attentive”.
within our limits
Restoring our attention span and our ability to focus begins with working within our strengths and limitations. So often we aim at a task but somehow our target lands on Instagram, YouTube, Wordle or something else. Slowing down, removing distractions, finding our flow state and allowing ourselves to look at one thing at a time can help us tremendously. I know for myself, understanding how my mind functions and working with it, helps me feel more capable of achieving my goals and doing the work that is important to me. As a writer, playing with these tips not only helps me get back on track when my mind runs wild, but helps me produce better work and experience satisfaction in the process. Do you notice yourself struggling to stay focused? Do you wish you could be more productive? What is one thing you can do that will help you achieve better results? Mikaela Connell is a creative writing graduate who loves to read and spend time with her family. She writes from the Gold Coast, Australia.
movement
Have you ever had an epiphany or idea come to you while exercising? OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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If you’ve never had the opportunity to ask a pastor tough questions this is the place to do it! Why do Christians treat the Bible like a rulebook? Zai, Whakatane, NZ In the opening of the Psalms, the author says, “Blessed is the one . . . whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:1–3). The Hebrew root word for “law” is torah, which can be translated as “law”, but more accurately “instruction” or “teaching”. Our confusion around the Bible as a rulebook stems, in large part, from this misunderstanding. Of course, there are very clearly “laws” in the Bible, such as those in Deuteronomy, but I’d argue much of the Bible’s teachings are meditation literature. That is, wisdom that if followed, will improve your life. To codify such wisdom into rules that must be followed is to miss the point.
Is it ever appropriate to inject politics into Christianity? Fred, Darwin, Australia Christianity and politics have a long and storied history, which is far too complex to deal with here. Reverend Tim Costello, in a recent opinion piece in The Age, expresses dismay at how the religious tradition he’s belonged to his whole life has “sold its soul” to serve the interests of hard-right authoritarians. “As a Baptist, I felt that the Christian movement, despite its 30
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great imperfections, was caring for the widow, the orphan and the stranger as the Bible teaches. Many, many churches still serve sacrificially and magnificently. . . It has shocked me to learn how many Christians in Australia are barracking for a Trump victory. I don’t understand.” On the other hand, many American Christians have, with dismay, pointed to the platform of left-leaning politicians who promise, for instance, the reestablishment of Roe v Wade. Any Christian who fully aligns themself with a political system must compromise some part of their faith in order to do so. In other words, no political party represents the way of Jesus—in fact, most contradict the way of Jesus in many key areas. There may be specific policy positions that resonate more with Christian faith than “the other side”, but we should always be mindful that politicians, even sincere ones, are primarily concerned with power. Take Billy Graham, perhaps the 20th century’s most prominent Christian evangelist. Urged to support Ronald Reagan’s candidacy for president, Graham was notably stubborn. When asked about it he said, “It would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it.” Of course, both sides of the political aisle are just as capable of doing just that, but the religious support for the farright political spectrum in the United States is perhaps the most obvious
example of this happening in real-time we’ve ever seen. That’s why, as much as it’s every person’s civic privilege to participate in politics (whether directly or at the polls), the only valid political position for a Christian is “Jesus is Lord”. If you were to ask me for my political position, that’s it. I want to go back to church, but I’m finding it overwhelming. Where do I even start? Sumit, Canberra, Australia Coming back to church can be really tough, especially if you don’t know where you sit in your faith journey. First, seek out people who can “be a friend” to you in this season. A small group is a great setting to work through your questions in a safe environment. Second, seek out a church that is
(1) rooted in biblical teaching, (2) is warm and (3) has a heart for their community. A healthy church cares about the Bible, but also cares about people. Are they serving the poor, the widow or the orphan? It’s easy for a church to have one of those three, but if you find one with all of them, it’s a church worth being part of. Want to get your question published in the next issue of the magazine? Ask Jesse a question by scanning this code! OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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Growing up in suburban Auckland, music was always a big part of my life. It’s what made me famous—and set me on a course to a life I never could have imagined. KELI PEPA
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was raised in Onehunga, a vibrant and colourful suburb in south central Auckland, New Zealand. Music and song writing have always been my passions, and from a young age, I harboured ambitious aspirations. With close friends at Onehunga High School, we formed a singing group called “Purest Form”. Drawing inspiration from musical idols like Boyz II Men, we believed that acapella music represented one of the purest forms of musical expression. We would venture into town in the evenings to busk, performing a mix of ‘90s R&B boy band tunes and gospel acapella, songs we’d grown up with at church. One memorable night, our performance caught the attention of a man from the crowd who offered us an opportunity to perform at the theme park, Rainbows End, on weekends—eventually leading to a television advertisement. In the early ‘90s in New Zealand, national television exposure was still a significant milestone. As four Polynesian boys, our success resonated deeply within our community. For many Polynesian families, witnessing their children on national television symbolised a tangible achievement, particularly in a community where educational attainment was highly valued. As one of the first Polynesian “boy bands” to make it big in New Zealand, our group’s accomplishments, including winning NZ Single of the Year in 1995, TV appearances and
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reaching number two on the national pop charts, were thrilling milestones—especially for young Polynesian boys fresh out of high school. However, by 1997, our group’s success began to wane as members pursued different paths, ultimately leading us in separate directions. Regrettably, our initial success faded swiftly.
losing my dad
After the band broke up, I started to pursue a solo career—trying to keep my fame alive. Amid these life changes, a profound moment in 1999 halted my trajectory. I was very close to my father. He was my biggest cheerleader and supporter. In the winter of 1999, my father suffered a severe stroke, plunging him into a critical coma. That night, as I kept vigil at the hospital, I made a decision that continues to weigh heavily on me. Torn between a critical television appearance and my father’s bedside, I chose the former and missed the chance to bid him farewell. My father, my hero and family patriarch, passed away while I was not there. The event left me devastated and consumed by guilt for prioritising personal pursuits over cherished moments with loved ones. I don’t think I’ve ever fully recovered from this. There was shame, a constant repeated self-examination and a part of me kept thinking, I didn’t think I was raised to be so self-centred. This haunts me, even
to this day, in a way I’ve never expressed until this opportunity to share my story. In those first moments of silence, I remember just falling on my knees. I didn’t even have the strength to lift my head. I would honestly say, I felt like the biggest failure. There was one thing I saw in the corner of my room—a Bible. We had several Bibles lying around the household, but I’ve never held the Bible so tightly to my chest as at that moment. I’d never seen myself as someone who would chase fame over family, but I resolved to embark on a new path and seek purpose. This pivotal juncture steered me towards a spiritual journey. Seeking for answers, I attended a Bible seminar at a local Seventh-day Adventist church. It captivated my interest and I began attending church regularly, culminating in my baptism before the turn of the millennium, a source of pride for my mother. OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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That night, as I kept vigil at the hospital, I made a decision that continues to weigh heavily on me
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Even when you think nothing can go wrong in your life, life (in my personal experience) is full of unexpected turns. The year 2006 ushered in another life-altering turn. I remember vividly my wife Ana’s reaction to my prognosis of leukaemia. Seeing the effects of an announcement that you have cancer on those you love is a husband’s worst nightmare. I remember the tears that flowed straight down my face and the wailing cry from both Ana and my other family members who were present in the room. My son Tevita was only three. I remember holding him tightly to my chest as I lay on my hospital bed. During my hospitalisation, a hospital chaplain imparted a prayer that left a lasting impact. Learning that she had studied at Laidlaw College, I pledged to follow a similar path upon emerging from leukaemia and achieving remission. This was a
breakthrough for me. Not only did I experience having to fight cancer, I felt a call to help those who felt helplessness and committed to studying theology (the study of God) to becoming a beacon of hope and solace through prayer for others in times of need.
sharing my story with the world
Earlier this year, as I was due to speak at an annual gathering of our church young people in Auckland, I felt deeply moved to share my personal story. Moments before I stood up to speak, on the brink of tears, I felt compelled to set aside my sermon notes and instead open up about my own personal experiences. It became clear to me that morning, as I shared my own story with those young people, that I was being reminded of my purpose and the profound impact that our personal narratives can have in inspiring others. OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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my cancer diagnosis
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A few months earlier, I’d learned about a young man in one of our churches who was battling leukaemia—a situation that struck a chord with me. He was bright, talented, ambitious and an entrepreneur. It evoked memories of nearly 17 years earlier. On the morning of the youth gathering, I made the decision to pause the program and lead a collective prayer for this young man. It was not for show or spectacle, but a simple gesture to unite everyone in support of him. It was an opportunity to demonstrate that, as a faith community, we prioritise the most essential aspects of life—compassion, empathy and solidarity through prayer. Together, we paused and prayed. This experience underscored two core values that remain central to my life today: my faith and the profound impact of standing alongside others in prayer. Here I stood, now a pastor and SIGNSMAG.COM • OCTOBER 2024
leader of youth ministry for the north island of New Zealand, overwhelmed with emotion as I reflected on my purpose. While a life marked by ambition and acclaim had its allure, there was no greater fulfilment than offering prayers of support and standing alongside those in need, embracing the broken, and uplifting them through prayer. Today, I stand as a cancer survivor, a testament to the power of prayer and the ongoing exploration of life’s wonders. I am grateful, indebted and humbled by the journey that has led me to this moment. I am thankful and attribute my resilience and growth to an unwavering faith in God. I owe this to many people in my life, including one of my biggest inspirations, my dad—after whom I named my son. Keli Pepa is a pastor and the youth/young adults director for the North New Zealand Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
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My Search for the real Dracula On a trip to a castle in Romania, I found more than I bargained for. JARROD STACKELROTH
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Maybe Transylvania is getting closer after all. The houses start giving Austrian vibes; pitched roofs and cute shutters, with window box flower beds. As we follow the river valley, the hills and trees get bigger as we go further up and further in. Sinaia is a picturesque station. Classic architecture, with a chalet resort feel. It’s the sort of place I’d love to jump out at, visit a café and spend an hour in before continuing my journey. There is a Christian cross on a mountain-top—a comforting site as we head into a land that is famed for its demons and devils. Houses here are built right against the train tracks, without a fence or anything. There is frost on the ground, crystalising the small ferns and greenery there, evidence we’re getting higher up. When I get off at bustling Busteni station, I’m met by Flaviu, who works with ST Network (Signs of the Times Romania). He’s my guide for the day and originally from Bran, he is taking me to see the sights in this beautiful part of the world. Transylvania has become a home for myths and monsters. But where did this association come from?
the home of Dracula
We park a few blocks away, and it takes some time figuring out how to use the parking system. There are plenty of tourists already, rugged up against the mountain air, and OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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he train departs Bucharest, Romania’s “little Paris”—the old city section with beautiful architecture and impressive monuments, giving way to Communist-era apartment blocks. The plain outside the city is flat and featureless, broken now and again by a grove of trees— mysterious and impenetrable to the gaze. Decrepit houses, tattooed with graffiti, a splash of colour to contrast the uniform grey buildings, marching aimlessly past the window. Every so often, rail crossings mark inhabited hamlets. We pass many an empty train platform along the way. I’m heading to the region of Transylvania, a well-known province of Romania with postcard-worthy vistas. But here, leaving Bucharest, it feels a world away from the patchwork quilt of beige, pale yellow and concrete shades that turn the world grey. Fields of stubble are the earth’s five o’clock shadow. Factories and warehouses sprint by. As we draw near to Dracula’s domain, we finally see green fields and hills that look very Australian. Among them, a flock of sheep fight birds for something they’re eating in the grass. We start to rise. Autumn is more evident here than the plains, and the trees and houses alike are decked out in more interesting styles and colours. A river sidles up to the tracks. We pass a weird installation—giant gold balls on the lawn and two giant, giraffe-deer hybrid sculptures—like some kind of alien observatory.
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heading up towards the glorious Bran Castle. Since I was a boy, reading of knights and kingdoms, I’ve loved a good castle and Bran, sitting regally above the township, has the looks, a back story and a location that could be envied by many an aspiring celebrity castle. Bran Castle has housed Romanian royalty, but its most famous resident was probably the infamous 15th century Wallachian prince, Vlad the Impaler (Vlad III). Many claim Vlad is the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s titular character Dracula, an aristocratic vampire whose depiction has influenced culture and had a multitude of iterations and lore added since the gothic novel was released in 1897. An information board in the castle provides some of the context of where the title Dracula came from, and some of the reality behind the myth. Vlad’s dad (also Vlad) was the first to get the title Dracul after he was appointed to the Dragon guards (sounds cool), protectors of Western Europe against the Ottoman Turks. Vlad III used his dad’s title and that’s where Dracula comes from (son of Dracul or dragon/devil). The other title Vlad is known by is Vlad the Impaler on account of his fearsome reputation for cruelty, including impaling his enemies on a large stake. We can be fairly certain that Vlad III was not a shape-shifting vampire; just a man, betrayed by his family, slandered by his enemies and perhaps even someone who leaned 44
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Fear was an essential tool
into the reputation of cruelty in his lifetime, to cultivate some fear around his name. However, the castle really leans into its supernatural associations and the famous Count. The courtyard and castle garden were adorned with orange jack-o-lanterns, cobwebs and other Halloween-y kitsch. There was a torture museum on one level of the castle and some of the darkened rooms upstairs had displays dedicated to folk stories and Romania’s mythological “history”. Featured were creatures like the Solomonari, sorcerers who could
have been shared since time immemorial. There is perhaps a useful function to them, a caution to keep people from unsafe or risky behaviour (like travelling in the dark). The reality was that for medieval villagers, disaster sometimes lurked outside the safe walls of the community. One could get raped, robbed or captured and traded into slavery and servitude. So fear was an essential tool for avoiding wickedness and evil. Some people get a thrill from scary, spooky stories. I don’t see the allure and have never been a fan, but it was interesting to see the castle’s attempt to tap into that interest. I’m not sure what draws people to all of that, but underlying it seems to be an attempt to explain mystery and tragedy when there are no obvious answers. Full disclosure: I do believe that there are powers beyond the natural that can and do have an impact or influence in this world. And those “forces” are not always benign or positive toward humanity. The apostle Paul, one of the earliest opposers to and then advocates for Christianity, described it this way: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). In Paul’s worldview, there is a great spiritual battle going on behind the scenes. There are malevolent OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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summon dragons and were taken as children to learn witchcraft and magic. The Santoaderi were halfhorse, half-human beings that would punish those who hadn’t finished all their work before Holy Week celebrations with a horrible death. The beauties, earthbound sirens who would lure unsuspecting travellers into traps. A hologram of these ethereal apparitions danced around the room. Even the Grim Reaper got a mention—Death’s courier, who would come as a thin, figure dressed in black or white, or a hunchbacked old woman—commonly seen before someone was about to die. These tales, perhaps used to keep children inside and out of the dark, are common to many cultures and
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forces in the world that hope to see us harmed. But we don’t need to be afraid of monsters, demons, phantoms or ghosts. Today, we are more commonly afraid of other things. Random accidents, cancer and circumstances out of our control. People ripping us off, scammers, having our hearts broken or dysfunctional and toxic people in our lives. The apostle Paul goes on in the passage we read above to suggest we don’t have to be afraid of evil because God has ultimate power over it. He describes a suit of armour, commonly called “the armour of God” by Christians, that can give us tools for protection. “Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground” (v13). He suggests including truth, right behaviour, God’s Word and faith as things that can protect us, stopping us from finding trouble and helping
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us to stand against evil. They can also minimise the harm evil can do to us, because they are anchored to an external source of power: God. Paul tells us how we can tap into this ultimate power source. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (6:18). Prayer connects us to God, who can offer protection and peace in the face of difficult situations. While evil continues to exist, in the open and behind the scenes (even in commercialised or softened forms—Halloween kitsch is not as threatening as being impaled on a stake), there is a source of goodness and life that we have access to. God wants to know us, to support us and to help us. Jarrod Stackelroth is the editor of the Australian/ New Zealand edition of Signs of the Times and Adventist Record.
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IN God WE TRUST? Alex Garland’s recent film Civil War realises, albeit in a highly fictionalised setting, a real fear for many Americans. What would a nation at war look like, and to what extent does the film reflect a possible future?
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n God we trust” is the official motto of the United States of America. That might seem surprising given this nation’s determination to preserve a separation of religion and authority since its inception. However, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln’s government determined to place in the hands of every citizen a reminder of the country’s deep relationship with the Christian faith. In 1864, in response to the appeals of many religious leaders, the motto was literally coined for the new two-cent piece. Since then, it has appeared in numerous government contexts. During a recent work trip to the US, I even saw it stamped on number plates. Yet at the same time, secular pressure groups were travelling across the country in their quest to remove any connection between church and state, including its coinage. “In God we trust” now exists as a reminder of the uneasy relationship between power, faith and politics. This year saw the release of a dystopian film that seems to have more potential for real-world fulfilment than any zombie flick that has come before. Civil War, written and directed by Alex Garland, imagines what would happen if political tensions escalated to the point of plunging the US into internal conflict. In it, a dictatorial president, played by Nick Offerman, declares to the nation that he is prepared to take up arms against his own people as
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part of his sacred trust “to this land, to this nation and to God”. And in just a few words, he enlists the Almighty as the source of and justification for his actions. The current United States is clearly not in a state of civil war, however high the tensions rise between Republicans and Democrats. Yet the film hints at the unhealthy relationship that is formed when Christianity aligns itself with political power. Take former president Donald Trump as an example. Trump has enjoyed broad Christian support since the early days of his political career, in particular among American Evangelicals. Bible-believing Christians saw in his candidacy the potential to have their social agendas realised. As a result, pastor after pastor lined up to pray over his campaign and encourage their followers to become his supporters. The Pew Research Center reported that in 2016, 81 per cent of American Evangelicals voted for Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. This amounted to the largest evangelical turnout at the polls in 20 years. Four years later, pundits waited to see if the polls would change in light of an impeachment trial, allegations of sexual misconduct and a storm of controversial social media posts. The answer, according to LSE Religion and Global Society research, was a resounding “no”. Exit polls from the 2020 election estimate that anywhere from 76 to 81 per cent of evangelicals voted for President Trump.
Bibles, placards and pausing for prayer amidst the shambles. The Washington Post article titled “Some Capitol rioters believed they answered God’s call, not just Trump’s” captures the sense of holy war some Evangelicals thought they were waging. But the results should not surprise us. History is littered with examples of the tragedies that occur when Christianity draws too close to power. The Roman Emperor Constantine believed he saw a vision of pure light in the form of a cross with the words, “In this sign conquer” inscribed on it. In his time, Christianity was legalised and received significant financial benefits—but also became complicit in the persecution of the Jews. Charlemagne, crowned by the Pope as the first “Holy Roman Emperor”, defeated the Saxon OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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Sociologist and lecturer at University College London, Katie Gaddini says that, “Evangelical approval for Trump remained high throughout his presidency, largely because Trump introduced and upheld the political issues that Evangelicals hold dear.” This association with power has delivered significant gains for American Christianity, to be sure. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs Wade removed a woman’s “right” to abortion, pleasing many Evangelicals. However, it has in other respects become an unholy alliance. For the sake of political influence, American Christians found themselves embracing a very un-Christian man. And his reciprocal influence over them resulted in ungodly scenes at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Among the rioters were Evangelical Christians carrying
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tribespeople through war, mass execution and deportation, and assured their conversion by threatening death to anyone who refused to be baptised. Knights of the First Crusade pierced the walls of Jerusalem and massacred thousands of residents who had taken refuge in the precinct surrounding the Al-Aqsa Mosque, casting many off the walls to their deaths below in what they described as, “a just and splendid judgement of God”. The Protestant “Wars of Religion”, the Spanish Inquisition and the Irish “Troubles” furnish still more examples of what can happen when Christians seek to forcibly bring about the kingdom of heaven on earth. Commenting on Christianity’s poor record of using political power to oppose dark influences, British theologian NT Wright told the podcast Undeceptions, “The danger is that if we take up the beast’s weapons in order to oppose the beast, we just become bestial ourselves.” The potential for misunderstanding the relationship between the church and power has existed at the heart of Christianity since its inception. The Jewish nation into which Jesus was born expected the rise of a messiah who would establish an earthly kingdom that would conquer the nations, beginning with its hated Roman conquerors. That was certainly Pontius Pilate’s view. He had to ask Jesus if He considered Himself a king because His behaviour 52
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If we take up the beast’s weapons in order to oppose the beast, we just become bestial ourselves so little matched those who would be crowned. Even Jesus’ disciples were infected with this idea, expecting that their Master had come to establish a kingdom in which they could expect to sit on His right and left. Yet, Jesus’ idea of the rule He would bring transcended the merely political. It was, as it were, a triumph of the powerless. From the first to the third centuries, the church of Christ was characterised by both their persecution for being atheists (they denied the existence of any gods but the one true God), and their love for the least fortunate members of society. By the 360s AD, the Christians’ humble service had earned them such high praise that a desperate emperor Julian felt the need to order his pagan priests to begin practising similar virtues or face removal from office. “Why do we not observe,” he wrote, “that it is their [Christians] benevolence to strangers, their care for the graves of the dead and the
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth,” (Matthew 5:3–5) and so on. Possibly they stand as the best warning for believers who would aim to inherit the earth in any other way. The role of the church is not to wield power but, in humility, to speak truth to power. The moment that we see it as a divine mandate for Christians to take hold of the levers of power, we find ourselves out of step with Jesus. Instead, He calls us to a more strenuous and ultimately more powerful way: “The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11,12). Mark Hadley is a media and cultural critic who lives with his family in Sydney. Please note that discussion of a media product in Signs of the Times does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation.
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pretended holiness of their lives that have done most to increase atheism?” The building of the kingdom of God is not achieved through increased political influence, even when that influence tends towards recognising the claim of God on human lives. Power is not the foundation of Jesus’ throne, but humility. According to author, apologist and historian Professor John Dickson, “Jesus himself gave his followers just four tools to build for the Kingdom and to change the world, the same tools he himself employed: prayer, persuasion, service and suffering. When Christians add ‘political power’ in a manner that relegates or distracts from prayer, persuasion, service and suffering they become sub-Christian.” Should we be surprised? American theologian John MacArthur points to the Beatitudes that begin the Sermon on the Mount and finds in them the constitution for Christ’s kingdom. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
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The Complex God
Can God ever be understood?
KAMMERAN GONZALEZ KEOLA—PEXELS
JUSTIN BONE
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KAROLINA GRABOWSKA—PEXELS
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he first time I went to the ocean I was entranced by it. I was perhaps 10 and I loved the feeling of the water on my feet. It lapped and moved in and out. The further in I got, the stronger the pull seemed to be. Then I took one step and my feet met nothing, the bank dropped away and I slipped under the water with a sudden shock. I started floundering and got scared until my dad came out of nowhere and caught me, he steadied me and laid me back so that I was floating and the previously scary depths became something that bore me up instead. I keep coming back to this story in my mind when I think about God. God is like the ocean: vast, powerful and containing hidden depths. When it comes to describing
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God these kinds of analogies are sometimes all we have. After all, God surely wouldn’t be someone you can describe easily. Isaiah 46:9 says, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” It stands to reason God is not easy to quantify or describe. And so when it comes to describing the personhood of God, once again Christianity has historically called on analogy or metaphor to picture what God is like. For Christians, that seems to be three distinct persons in one Godhead: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Three in one. There are famous analogies—for example St Patrick used the picture of a clover, three individual leaves on one unifying stem to picture God’s being. The problem is that while these pictures get us started on
understanding God, none of these analogies feel completely satisfactory, and I suspect using a simple picture to describe a complex Being will always leave us flat. So where do we get this idea of three Person from? The Bible has many verses that confidently declare God to be one Being only. For example, the Jewish declaration of faith from Deuteronomy 6:4,5 says, “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one. And as for you, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” It seems very clear from that one verse that God is one Being. But many other verses starting from the very first book of the Bible also present another picture—one of God being a plural. For example, the word used for God in Genesis 1 is Elohim. When you see an -im (pronounced eem) suffix in Hebrew, that designates a plurality (more than one). So God is being referred to here as a plurality. That image is further reinforced by the Spirit of God being shown in verse 2 as hovering over the waters. It would be easy to say God was hovering there, but the verse is
very clear this is a different Entity, a Spirit, or Breath. Then there is more reinforcement of the plurality—in verse 26 God says, “Let us make mankind in our image” (italics added). Some have argued this is simply God using the royal we, or perhaps God was speaking to angels when He said we. However, verse 27 makes it very clear: “So God created mankind in his own image.” Humans were made in the image of God alone, not the angels. So, who is God speaking to when He says, “Let us make mankind in our image”? Those are both plural terms. Yet we know God is one, the contrast can be confusing. So why not ignore these little pictures and Bible verses about a plural yet singular God if we don’t quite understand them? Because there are just so many of them through Scripture. When the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, Genesis 19:24 says, “Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens.” There seems to be two Lords present in this scene. Lord is the term used in the Old Testament when the tetragrammaton “YHWH”
Using a simple picture to describe a complex being will always leave us flat
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was written to represent God’s name. If you look in a Bible you will notice that Lord is written in all capitals LORD. That’s when that “YHWH” is used—the belief was that the name of God was too holy to put into words. So in this verse, we have two separate LORDs, one on earth, and one in heaven. What are we to make of that except that God is a plurality. It gets even clearer in Matthew 28 when Jesus declares that the Christian mandate is to baptise in the name (singular) of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (a plurality). In other verses we are told that the fullness of God is in Christ (Colossians 2:9), that it is possible to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31), both of which indicates very clearly that both Jesus and the Spirit are unique Persons and yet both God as well. Still confused? You aren’t alone. Even the disciples of Jesus didn’t quite get it. Jesus explained it to His disciples in John 14:7 saying, “ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Jesus is telling His disciples that when they look at Jesus they have seen the Father. But this is still confusing for some of them. We see a follow up from Philip who says in verse 8, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replies with this astonishing statement: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” 58
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Justin Bone supports and trains pastors and congregations around Victoria, Australia, for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is passionate about helping people understand the Bible better.
OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
VLADA KARPOVICH—PEXELS
Well, Jesus must have been met with a sea of confused faces because He says next, “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves” (11). “Believe,” Jesus says. “Believe Me because the evidence that God is in me is right in front of you. Believe because I say it, but if you still aren’t sure, look at the evidence you see. “The sick are healed, the blind can see and the dead live again. God born as a human to live among us.” For all our theological confusion, Jesus says, “If you want to understand God look at Me”. The evidence I have seen of Jesus in people’s hearts, of the Spirit moving through their lives and of the creation of a sovereign God is enough for me to believe in what Jesus has said. Will I one day have 100 per cent understanding of the uniqueness and wonder that is God’s personhood? I doubt it. Because if I could comprehend and encompass God with my thoughts He would hardly be worthy to be God. But when that confusion and desire to understand makes me feel like my feet have slipped out from under me and I am being tossed and turned by a powerful unknown ocean, I feel the hands of Jesus beneath me lifting me up to float on the surface, and I am steady and safe in His arms. And that’s all I need to know.
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BUDGET-FRIENDLY FOODS FOR A HEALTHIER GUT These days you can’t walk down a health food or vitamins aisle without overpriced products shouting gut health claims at you. Your gut is a lively hub for trillions of microorganisms known as gut flora or microbiota, essential for breaking 60
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down the foods you eat. For a healthy gut, you need a diverse range of gut microbiota and they need to be fed with the right kinds of foods. But before you go reaching for expensive vitamins and probiotic products, Sanitarium’s dietitians say
NURUDDIN BHARMAL—PEXELS
Looking after your gut is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health, and it may be easier and cheaper than you think.
there are better and more affordable ways to nurture your gut—and these foods could already be in your fridge or pantry.
1. frozen veggies
Research shows that eating 30 plant foods per week can support gut health by encouraging the growth of different species of “good” bacteria needed to keep our gut and overall health on track. Eating frozen vegetables is a cost-effective and convenient way to achieve this goal. They can be added to a variety of dishes including stews, stir-fry or steamed as a side. Nutrient-wise, they offer similar or even better nutrient quality than fresh veg.
2. yoghurt
Some yoghurts contain probiotics, like certain strains of lactobacillus or bifidobacteria. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, provide a health benefit. Probiotics can support health in different ways, from helping your immune system function properly, aiding digestion by breaking down some of the food we can’t digest and even keeping harmful microorganisms in check. When choosing yoghurts, opt for a plain or Greek yoghurt, and add your favourite fruit to it for more flavour. And if you are wanting that gut-loving hit, look for ones that contain probiotics.
3. wholegrain bread and breakfast cereals
Fibre is super important for gut health; in fact it’s linked to several benefits including supporting regular bowel movements, microbiota diversity and an overall healthy digestive system. It is recommended that women aim for at least 25g of fibre per day, and men aim for at least 30g per day. When choosing breads and breakfast cereals look for the words “wholegrain” or “wholemeal” at the top of the ingredient list.
4. canned beans and legumes
There’s a huge variety to choose from including chickpeas, cannellini beans, lentils and kidney beans. They are great flavourful additions to dishes like tacos, curries or pasta sauce and a great meat substitute thanks to their protein content. Beyond their flavour, they are loaded with dietary fibre that helps to keep you full for longer and feeds your gut bacteria.
5. extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
Research has shown that the polyphenols in evoo can act as a prebiotic by encouraging the growth of good gut bacteria. It also helps reduce the growth of bad gut bacteria, leading to reduced inflammation and improved overall gut health. In addition to frying and roasting, it’s also great used as a salad dressing.
Article courtesy of Sanitarium Health Food Company. Visit sanitarium.com.au or sanitarium.co.nz and subscribe to Recipe of the Week for a delicious plant-powered recipe in your inbox each week. OCTOBER 2024 • SIGNSMAG.COM
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Crossword Puzzle
CROSSWORD
How closely have you been reading? (Almost) every keyword in this puzzle is contained within this edition of Signs of the Times. Happy digging! 1
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word that best translates as on"
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a Libertarian parks departme 6. Americans have these lying a homes, totally around $US23 8. Another term for Isoflavones 11. Romania's "little Paris"
crossword clues DOWN 1 Poverty rate of this country has hit a historic low 2 The hottest boy band in early-’90s New Zealand 3 Hebrew word that best translates as “instruction” 4 Vlad III was the inspiration for this fictional character 7 Focusing on one thing at a time 9 God’s name 10 The Celtic progenitor of Halloween ACROSS 5 Actor who has played both a president and a Libertarian parks department worker 6 Americans have these lying around their homes, totally around $US23 billion 8 Another term for Isoflavones 11 Romania’s “little Paris” 12 The “Modern Prometheus”
Hint: 2 Down
SUDOKU easy
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SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE: SIGNSMAG.COM/FUN
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