4HE )NTERNATIONAL 0APER FOR 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS
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3ATURATED 7ITH -EANING "Y 'ERALD +LINGBEIL 4HE ,ORD S 3UPPER ENCOMPASSES OUR SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCEˆ PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE
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0UBLISHED BY THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS AND PRINTED AT ,ANE 0RESS "URLINGTON 6ERMONT FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION BY THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN !FRICA
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
/N THE COVER ,%!2.).' #)2#,% ,ITERACY CLASSES SPONSORED BY THE !DVENTIST #HURCH S (OPE FOR (UMAN ITY GREATLY ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AS WELL AS RAISE COMMUNITY RESPECT FOR WOMEN IN )NDIA -ORE THAN LITERACY CLASSES ARE CURRENTLY BEING TAUGHT IN lVE SOUTH )NDIA PROVINCES
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WHILE WE JUSTLY CELEBRATE THE ADVANCING LITERACY RATE IN NATIONS ALL AROUND THE GLOBE WE DARE NOT MISS THE FACT THAT FULLY ONE IN lVE ADULTS IN OUR WORLD IS STILL UNABLE TO READ )N SOME REGIONS ONLY ONE IN lVE CAN READ !CCESS TO THE 7ORD OF 'OD IS PROBLEMATIC EVEN IN MANY AREAS WHERE LITERACY RATES ARE CLIMBING "IBLE ! -ORAL 2ESPONSIBILITY TRANSLATIONS CURRENTLY REACH ONLY A MODEST FRACTION OF THE T WAS WEDGED BETWEEN THE ELECTRIC BILL AND A #HRISTMAS WORLD S LANGUAGE GROUPS !DVENTISTS EVERYWHERE OUGHT CARD WHEN ) lRST SPIED ITˆA BRIGHT ORANGE "IBLE 3OCIETY TO REMEMBER THAT THE "IBLE STUDY WE RIGHTLY URGE AS THE BROCHURE EMBLAZONED WITH A MEMORABLE SLOGAN h)F DUTY OF EVERY BELIEVER IS CONDITIONED BY THE ABILITY TO THEY CAN T READ THE WORDS THEY CAN T READ THE 7ORD v &OR READ THE 7ORD IN A FAMILIAR LANGUAGE 4HERE IS A SKILL EVEN A MOMENT AND THEN LONGER ) FORGOT ABOUT THE HIGH COST OF MORE BASIC THAN COMPARING TEXT WITH TEXT AND WE MORALLY OPERATING A REFRIGERATOR AND THE FRIENDS TO WHOM ) OWED A OBLIGATE OURSELVES TO SUPPORT LITERACY EFFORTS EACH TIME WE HOLIDAY GREETING &OR A MOMENT ) GLIMPSED A WORLD ) FOUND URGE MEN AND WOMEN TO TURN TO 'OD S 7ORD HARD TO IMAGINEˆA WORLD WHERE WRITTEN LANGUAGE HAS LITTLE 4WO ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD BRING HOME MEANING WHERE THE PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL DEPENDS ON THIS POINTˆh%MPOWERING 7OMEN IN )NDIAv COVER STORY TONGUES AND EARS FAR MORE THAN EYES AND h-EETING THE .EEDS OF #HILDREN v !S YOU ENJOY THESE )T WAS A GOOD LESSON FOR A FUTURE EDITOR TO ABSORB FOR PIECES AND ARE INSPIRED BY THEM COMMIT YOURSELF THIS ) M ACCUSTOMED TO VISUALLY DEVOURING WHATEVER PRINT LIES MONTH TO SHARING YOUR READING SKILLS WITH SOMEONE ELSE NEAREST 4HE ORDERLY PROGRESSION OF LETTERS ON A PAGE BY WHICH MOST OF MY WORLD IS MADE ACCESSIBLE TO ME MYSTIlES ˆ"ILL +NOTT
5.%3#/ AND CONFUSES THE ONE WHO HAS NOT HAD MY PRIVILEGES !ND
%DITOR S 0EN
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7/2,$ 2%0/24 *!-!)#! !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT STRESSES PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT IN YOUTH DIALOGUE N 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT 0ASTOR *AN 0AULSEN GAVE A RESOUNDING ENDORSEMENT OF !DVENTIST YOUNG PEOPLE /CTOBER ˆEVEN OFFERING A hYEAH MON v IN *AMAICAN DIALECTˆDURING ,ET S 4ALK #ARIBBEAN THE SEVENTEENTH SUCH PROGRAM IN A SERIES OF UNSCRIPTED UNEDITED CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE CHURCH PRESIDENT AND ITS UNDER CONSTITUENCY h9OU DON T HAVE TO BE ELECTED TO AN OFlCE TO OWN THE CHURCH 9OU DON T HAVE TO BE A LOCAL ELDER TO OWN THE CHURCH 4HE CHURCH IS A PLACE OF MUTUAL OWNERSHIPˆWE RE IN THIS TOGETHER v 0AULSEN TOLD NEARLY EAGER YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE CONVERSATION BASED AT !DVENTIST OWNED .ORTHERN #ARIBBEAN 5NIVERSITY IN -ANDEVILLE *AMAICA AND BROADCAST ON THE CHURCH S (OPE #HANNEL SATELLITE AND CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK 0AULSEN CENTERED HIS REMARKS DURING THE HOUR LONG
,%4 3 4!,+ 0AULSEN EM PHASIZED EMPOWERMENT AND CHURCH OWNERSHIP DURING THE DIALOGUE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AT !DVENTIST OWNED .ORTH ERN #ARIBBEAN 5NIVERSITY IN -ANDEVILLE *AMAICA (E ALSO APPEALED TO !DVENTISTS OF OLDER GENERATIONS WATCHING THE BROADCAST TO INCLUDE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE LIFE OF THEIR CHURCH 2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + ) ! . .
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7/2,$ 2%0/24 BROADCASTˆAS HE OFTEN DOES DURING ,ET S 4ALK PROGRAMSˆON EMPOWERMENT AND CHURCH OWNERSHIP 7HILE IT S A KEY MESSAGE WORLDWIDE HE SAID IT S PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN THE CHURCH S 7EST )NDIES REGION WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE UP SOME TWO THIRDS OF THE !DVENTIST #HURCH S MEMBERSHIP %ARLY ON IN THE BROADCAST 0AULSEN TURNED BRIEmY TO THE CAMERA FOR REMARKS MEANT LARGELY TO AMEND @9%!( -/. ,ET S 4ALK #ARIBBEAN HOST $ENEIL #LARKE CENTER SOME OF THE CHURCH S OLDER GENERATIONS OPINIONS WITH !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT *AN 0AULSEN RIGHT IN A OF YOUNG PEOPLE h) M MORE PREACHINGˆAND ) AM BROADCASTED CONVERSATION WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IN *AMAICA /CTOBER PREACHINGˆTO THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING 9OU NEED TO h(ELLO v 0AULSEN TOLD THE GROUP h.O NO v #LARK SAID h)F MAKE SURE THAT YOU TRUST THOSE WHO ARE YOUNG WITH YOU RE DOING /+ YOU LL RESPOND BY SAYING @YEAH MON v 0AULSEN RESPONSIBILITY )T IS AN INDISPUTABLE FACT THAT IF YOU TRIED AGAIN THIS TIME GREETING THE GROUP IN THE *AMAICAN DIALECT DO NOT ENGAGE THOSE WHO ARE YOUNG THEY WILL WALK 2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + ) ! . . AWAY FROM THE CHURCH v THE DISEASE S RAMPANT GROWTH h3HOULD WE BE PREACHING &OLLOWING A QUESTION ON CIVIL ENGAGEMENT 0AULSEN SAID #HRISTIANS SHOULD NOT ONLY ASK WHAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOMETHING ELSE v ONE DELEGATE ASKED h,OOK LET S BE PERFECTLY FRANK v 0AULSEN SAID h3EX CHURCH BUT ALSO WHAT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITIES BELONGS IN MARRIAGE 0ROMISCUITY IS NEVER CONDONED IN THE IN WHICH THEY LIVE /NE WAY TO IMPACT SOCIETY IS TO HOLD "IBLE AS A LIFESTYLE ,ET S NOT LOOK FOR WAYS TO ACCOMMODATE POLITICAL OFlCE 0AULSEN SAID "UT HE CAUTIONED SOMEONE IT OR MAKE IT SAFER 3AVE THE GOOD THINGS FOR THE RIGHT TIME v CONSIDERING CANDIDACY MUST ASK h)S THIS SOMETHING ) CAN DO &OLLOWING THE BROADCAST 0AULSEN SAID HE WAS PLEASED BY WITHOUT COMPROMISING WHO ) AM AND MY LOYALTY TO 'OD v THE YOUNG DELEGATES POINTED QUESTIONS ,ET S 4ALK #ARIBBEAN AGAIN TOUCHED ON PROTECTING /THER QUESTIONS ADDRESSED THE CHURCH S METHODS PERSONAL SPIRITUALITY WHEN ONE YOUNG DELEGATE ASKED WHAT OF MINISTRY 7HEN ONE STUDENT ASKED WHETHER 0AULSEN THE CHURCH WAS DOING TO SHIELD YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE THOUGHT SO CALLED hTENTv EVANGELISM WAS hOUTMODED v HE hILL EFFECTSv OF THE MEDIA 0AULSEN REMINDED THE GROUP OF SAID TRADITIONAL EVANGELISM STILL WORKS hAMAZINGLY WELLv BOTH THE hCOLOSSALv GOOD MEDIA CAN DO AND ITS POTENTIAL IN MOST PARTS OF THE WORLD "UT CHURCH LEADERS HE SAID TO PROPAGATE VICE h4HE CHURCH IS NOT GOING TO MAKE THE SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON THE INITIAL EFFECTS OF AN OUTREACH CHOICE YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE v SAID 0AULSEN WHO OFTEN ADVOCATES PRIVATE RATHER THAN CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY WHILE EFFORT TO PRODUCE hENDURING IN DEPTH DECISIONSv FOR #HRIST SOMETHING HE SAID LONG TERM SMALL GROUPS ARE ANSWERING ,ET S 4ALK QUESTIONS %NTERTAINMENT CHOICES HE BETTER AT h&OR A PERSON TO STAY IN THE CHURCH YOU VE GOT SAID ARE INHERENTLY A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE h7HEN YOU SWITCH ON THE SET IT S NOT @7HAT DOES THE CHURCH SAY ON THIS TO HAVE FRIENDS IN THE CHURCH v (E SAID LARGE SCALE EVENTS MIGHT BE BETTER IF THEY FOCUSED ON CELEBRATION RATHER THAN ONE )T S @)S THIS GOING TO MAKE ;ME= A BETTER PERSON v $URING THE SECOND HALF OF ,ET S 4ALK #ARIBBEAN MANY CONVERSION 4HE CHURCH MAY SPEND TOO MUCH TIME ON OUTREACH OF THE YOUNG DELEGATES ADDRESSED ISSUES OF SEXUALITY IN THEIR AT THE EXPENSE OF hINREACH v ONE DELEGATE SAID &OR A NEW QUESTIONS #HRISTIAN STILL STRUGGLING WITH DRUG ADDICTIONS THE COUNSEL /NE STUDENT ASKED A QUESTION REGARDING YOUNG WOMEN TO hTRUST *ESUSv MAY NOT BE ENOUGH HE SAID SUGGESTING WHO ARE PREGNANT OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE SPECIlCALLY WHEN A PASTOR OR OTHER CHURCH OFlCIAL IS ACCUSED OF MOLESTATION OR THAT THE CHURCH OVERSEE MORE ADDICTION AND SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAMS 0AULSEN AGREED MORE INREACH SHOULD BE DONE SO RAPE AND THE VICTIM IS TOO AFRAID TO COME FORWARD 0AULSEN LONG AS FUNDS AREN T DIVERTED FROM OUTREACH ANSWERED ADAMANTLY h,OOK IF YOU VE COMMITTED A CRIME ,ET S 4ALK TAPERED OFF WITH A LIGHTER QUESTION WHETHER OR YOU GO TO JAIL 4HE CHURCH WILL NOT PROVIDE SHELTER TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ABUSING THEIR ROLE OR ENGAGED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES NOT !DVENTIST YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD PLAY COMPETITIVE SPORTS 0AULSEN SAID IF SPORTS CONSUME PLAYERS AND FANS TO THE CONDEMNED BY SOCIETY v (E ADDED THAT THE CHURCH SHOULD POINT OF OUSTING 'OD AND RELIGION AS THEIR PRIORITIES THEY hPROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN AND HEALING FOR THOSE WHO CARRY WERE CERTAINLY NOT HEALTHY "UT GENERALLY HE SAID SPORTS WOUNDS AND SCARS v 4HE CONVERSATION THEN TURNED TO !)$3 AND WHETHER ENCOURAGE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS ˆ"Y %LIZABETH ,ECHLEITNER THE CHURCH S MESSAGE OF ABSTINENCE WAS ENOUGH TO COMBAT !DVENTIST .EWS .ETWORK WITH !7 3TAFF
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
7/2,$ 2%0/24
3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS !RE 'ROWING #HURCHES 'AINING -EMBERS -ORE THAN ONE MILLION JOINED IN PAST YEAR MEMBER RETENTION IS UP
2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + ) ! . .
"Y -ARK ! +ELLNER !DVENTIST 7ORLD .EWS %DITOR WITH REPORTING FROM 4AASHI 2OWE AND !NSEL /LIVER !DVENTIST .EWS .ETWORK
-
ORE THAN MILLION PEOPLE JOINED THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN THE MONTHS ENDING *UNE WORLD CHURCH EXECUTIVE SECRETARY -ATTHEW ! "EDIAKO TOLD LEADERS OF THE MOVEMENT DURING THE NINETY lFTH !NNUAL #OUNCIL OF THE WORLD CHURCH 7ORLD CHURCH MEMBERSHIP STOOD AT AS OF *UNE "EDIAKO SAID WITH THE CHURCH HAVING ADDED PEOPLE DAILY DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD "EDIAKO REPORTED THERE IS NOW ONE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST FOR EVERY PEOPLE ON %ARTH 4HE !DVENTIST #HURCH "EDIAKO NOTED HAS hNEVER BEEN IN SUCH A FAVORABLE POSITION TO WITNESS FOR THE TRUTH v "UT HE ADDED h4HIS SHOULD NOT LEAD US INTO AN ATTITUDE OF COMPLACENCY AND CONTENTMENT 4HIS IS THE TIME TO BE MORE ALERT AND ACTIVE THAN EVER v h&OR THE PAST lVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS OVER MILLION INDIVIDUALS HAVE JOINED THE ;3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST= #HURCH EVERY YEAR v "EDIAKO TOLD THE GATHERING h$URING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW *ULY TO *UNE ;PEOPLE= WERE ADDED TO THE CHURCH THROUGH BAPTISM AND PROFESSION OF FAITH !LTHOUGH THIS IS ;A= DECREASE FROM LAST YEAR WE PRAISE 'OD FOR THESE PRECIOUS SOULS v 4HE MEMBERSHIP lGURES SHOWED A NET INCREASE OF PEOPLE AFTER ACCOUNTING FOR WHOSE NAMES WERE REMOVED FROM CHURCH MEMBERSHIP ROLLS )N CHURCH LEADERS SAID SOME OF THESE ADJUSTMENTS RESULTED FROM AUDITS OF LOCAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AS WELL AS FROM REPORTS OF MEMBERS WHO HAVE DIED )N THE lVE YEAR PERIOD ENDING IN ACCORDING TO A REVIEW OF STATISTICS PROVIDED BY THE CHURCH AND REPORTED BY !DVENTIST .EWS .ETWORK LAST YEAR DEATHS HAVE ACCOUNTED FOR APPROXIMATELY PERCENT TO PERCENT OF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LOSSES !T THE SAME TIME THE ATTRITION RATE SEEMS TO BE TURNING AROUND "EDIAKO SAID h7HILE WE WERE REPORTING A RATIO OF ACCESSIONS TO LOSSES ;OF= AROUND PERCENT v HE SAID hOUR RECORDS THIS YEAR
-%-"%23()0 '!).3 $URING HIS ANNUAL REPORT !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH SECRETARY -ATTHEW ! "EDIAKO SAID POSITIVE CHURCH GROWTH STATISTICS SHOULD NOT LULL CHURCH MEMBERS INTO COMPLACENCY h4HIS IS THE TIME TO BE MORE ALERT AND ACTIVE THAN EVER v HE TOLD !NNUAL #OUNCIL DELEGATES SHOW A HEALTHY lGURE OF PERCENT 4HIS IS A REMARKABLE CHANGE AND WE PRAISE 'OD FOR THAT v "EDIAKO SAID THAT WHILE hWE ARE HAPPY TO SEE A NEW TREND x WE CANNOT SING THE DOXOLOGY UNTIL WE ELIMINATE FROM OUR CHART THE LOS;T= AND MISSING COLUMN 4O ACHIEVE THIS GOAL WE NEED TO EXHIBIT IN EVERY CHURCH INSTITUTION AND ON ALL LEVELS OF CHURCH ADMINISTRATION AN UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER ,ET EVERY INDIVIDUAL WHO ENTERS OUR CHURCH AND INSTITUTION FEEL WELCOME 7E NEED TO RESPECT AND ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER v !ND "ERT (ALOVIAK DIRECTOR OF THE CHURCH S /FlCE OF !RCHIVES AND 3TATISTICS SAID THIS YEAR S MEMBERSHIP GROWTH RATEˆ PERCENTˆIS THE HIGHEST SINCE THE YEAR WHEN THE RESULTS OF MEMBERSHIP AUDITS lRST SHOWED UP IN THE CHURCH S BOOKS /N THE MISSIONARY FRONT "EDIAKO REPORTED THAT NEW MISSIONARIES WERE SENT OUT ON FULL TERM APPOINTMENTS IN AND OTHERS RETURNED TO THEIR ASSIGNMENTS AFTER FURLOUGHS AND ANNUAL LEAVES ! TOTAL OF MISSIONARIES hCOMING FROM EVERYWHERE AND GOING TO EVERYWHERE v ARE IN THE lELD TODAY AUGMENTED BY MORE THAN !DVENTIST VOLUNTEERS ON AND MONTH COMMITMENTS 2EPORTS FROM "EDIAKO AND 6ERNON 0ARMENTER DIRECTOR OF !DVENTIST 6OLUNTEER #ENTER ALSO EMPHASIZED THE IMPACT OF LAY MEMBER AND PASTORAL OUTREACH IN MANY AREAS %VANGELISTIC CAMPAIGNS IN !FRICA THE 5KRAINE 4ARTARSTAN )NDONESIA THE )NTER !MERICA CHURCH REGION $ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7/2,$ 2%0/24 AND 3OUTH !MERICA ARE ALL CREDITED WITH ADDING TO CHURCH MEMBERSHIP ROLLS h) FULLY BELIEVE THAT THE GREATEST DAYS OF ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE STILL BEFORE US v "EDIAKO SAID h3OON WE SHALL SEE AN INCREASING ACCELERATION OF THE WORK ON ALL FRONTS IN THE DAYS TO COME !S A PEOPLE WE HAVE NEVER BEEN IN SUCH A FAVORABLE POSITION TO WITNESS FOR THE TRUTH v (E ADDED h/UR CHURCH HAS GAINED A LARGER MEASURE OF RESPECT THAN EVER BEFORE 4HE PUBLICITY THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE CHURCH S WORLDWIDE ACTIVITIES HAS LED MANY TO ASK WHAT !DVENTISTS STAND FOR -ANY ORGANIZATIONS OTHER RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND PEOPLE IN BOTH HIGH AND LOW PLACES OF RESPONSIBILITY ARE READY TO LISTEN TO OUR TEACHINGS AND TO FOLLOW THE TRUTH )T IS FOR ALL OF US A DAY OF OPPORTUNITY v 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS ARE ACTIVE IN OF THE WORLD S NATIONS AND TERRITORIES "ETWEEN AND MILLION PEOPLE ATTEND !DVENTIST WORSHIP SERVICES WEEKLY A NUMBER LARGER THAN BAPTIZED MEMBERSHIP BECAUSE AS IN MANY 0ROTESTANT CHURCHES THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH DOES NOT BAPTIZE INFANTS #HURCH INCOME MISSION OFFERINGS UP
!N INCREASE IN ORDINARY TITHES AND OFFERINGS LIFTED THE !DVENTIST #HURCH S lNANCIAL BOTTOM LINE BY MILLION AS OF 3EPTEMBER COMPARED TO THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR *UAN 2 0RESTOL UNDERTREASURER FOR THE WORLD CHURCH TOLD DELEGATES THAT AS OF 3EPTEMBER THE CHURCH S lNANCIAL STATEMENT REmECTS hA SIGNIlCANT INmOW OF TITHE RECEIVED DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR AND AN INCREASE IN NET ASSETS v 4ITHE FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR TOTALED MORE THAN 53 BILLION h!NNUALLY 'OD S FAITHFUL SERVANTS IN SMALL AND LARGE AMOUNTS RETURN TO BILLION A YEAR AND EVERY DOLLAR OF THAT IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE MILLIONS THAT COME IN v SAID 2OBERT % ,EMON WORLD CHURCH TREASURER #ONSERVATIVE ESTIMATES OF REVENUE THROUGH THE END OF WILL GIVE THE CHURCH ENOUGH RESOURCES TO RECOMMEND ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS AROUND THE WORLD THROUGH A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET NORMALLY VOTED AT THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE S 3PRING -EETING 2ETURNING TITHE IS A hSERMON v ,EMON SAID h9OU DON T GIVE UNLESS YOU BELIEVE 'OD IS THE #REATOR v 4ITHE IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE IN WHICH THE CHURCH IS SEEING INCREASES ,EMON REPORTED THAT LOCAL OFFERINGS INCREASED FROM PERCENT OF TITHE IN TO PERCENT OF TITHE IN /NE OF THE CHURCH S BIGGEST SUCCESS STORIES IS THE TURNAROUND IN MISSION OFFERINGS WHICH UNTIL RECENTLY HAD DECLINED BY PERCENT SINCE "UT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS MISSION OFFERINGS IN .ORTH !MERICA HAVE INCREASED AT A RATE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN AN INCREASE IN TITHE 4OTAL
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
MISSION OFFERINGS HAVE INCREASED FROM MILLION IN TO MILLION IN ,EMON ALSO PRESENTED A SPECIAL REPORT ON AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF TITHE THE CHURCH S WORLD HEADQUARTERS RECEIVED EARLIER THIS YEAR #OUNCIL DELEGATES VOTED TO RECEIVE IT AND HAVE IT USED FOR THE CHURCH S WORLDWIDE WORK ,EMON REFERRED TO THE CONTRIBUTION AS AN hEXTRAORDINARYv BLESSING AND ALSO AS A hUNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT OF (IS WORK v h4HE REALITY IS THE WAY WE INTEND TO USE THESE FUNDS WE WILL HAVE A GREATER NEED THAN WE VE EVER HAD v ,EMON SAID h) THINK TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE A HALF A GENERATION AHEAD OF WHAT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS SOMETHING THE ,ORD WILL HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE FOR IF WE DON T DO IT h4ITHE IS FOR SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY AND EVANGELISM IT S NOT FOR ENDOWING AND THEN JUST USING THE INTEREST v ,EMON SAID IN ANSWER TO A QUESTION FROM THE mOOR h4HE ,ORD WHEN (E REWARDED THE WIDOW FOR HAVING FED THE PROPHET (E DIDN T lLL UP HER mOUR BARREL AND OIL EVERY TIME SHE USED IT BUT ONLY REPLACED WHAT SHE HAD USED h7E HAVE CONSULTED WITH MANY ON THIS ISSUE AND WE WANT IT CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE IS NO CHANGE IN OUR POSITION THAT TITHE SHOULD BE TURNED INTO THE LOCAL CONFERENCE THROUGH THE LOCAL CHURCH v ,EMON SAID h)T WOULD HAVE TO BE AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT FOR US TO CONSIDER THIS AGAIN v 4HE COUNCIL DECIDED THAT PROPOSALS ON HOW TO ADMINISTER THE TITHE WOULD BE SUBMITTED BY REGIONAL WORLD LEADERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AT THE CHURCH S HEADQUARTERS BEFORE BEING REVIEWED BY THE PRESIDENT S COUNCIL IN *ANUARY #HURCH LEADERS ENVISION PROPOSALS WILL INCLUDE FUNDING FOR )NTERNET AND OTHER MASS MEDIA COMMUNICATION OUTREACH INITIATIVES IN LARGE CITIES AND THE CHURCH S WORK IN THE 7INDOWˆA SECTION OF THE GLOBE IN THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE BETWEEN THE AND NORTHERN LINES OF LATITUDE THAT IS LARGELY UNREACHED BY THE GOSPEL #HURCH 0RESIDENT *AN 0AULSEN URGED LEADERS TO USE THE FUNDS FOR LONG TERM PROJECTS h4HESE ARE NOT PROJECTS THAT SHOULD HAVE A SHORT TERM LIFE v 0AULSEN SAID h4HEY MAY IN YOUR PLANNING AND THINKING HAVE NO END EXCEPT THE SECOND COMING OF #HRIST v ,EMON PRAISED CHURCH MEMBERS FOR THEIR FAITHFULNESS IN RETURNING TITHE AND URGED CONTINUED COMMITMENT $ELEGATES ALSO UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE WORLD CHURCH S BUDGET OF MORE THAN MILLION INCLUDING A PERCENT INCREASE IN ACROSS THE BOARD APPROPRIATIONS FOR ITS WORLD DIVISIONS AND 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE INSTITUTIONS 4HE BUDGET INCLUDES THE MORE THAN MILLION COST OF
,EFT -ORE THAN 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH LEADERS HEARD 0RESIDENT *AN 0AULSEN S 3ABBATH SERMON /CTOBER AT THE CHURCH S WORLD HEADQUARTERS NEAR 7ASHINGTON $ # 5 3 ! 0AULSEN ADDRESSED LEADERS AS PART OF !NNUAL #OUNCIL THE WORLD CHURCH S BUSINESS MEETING "ELOW 42534 $URING HIS 3ABBATH SERMON *AN 0AULSEN PRESIDENT OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST WORLD CHURCH ENCOURAGED LEADERS TO TRUST EACH OTHER S ABILITIES 2 ! * - 5 . $ $ ! " 2 / 7 3 + ) ! . .
TO DO IT ) HAVE TO TRUST OTHERS TO DO IT AS MUST YOU ) TRUST YOU v HE SAID TO CHURCH LEADERS h-AVERICKS WHO ACT INDEPENDENTLY AND BY THEIR OWN WISDOM DO NOT MAKE GOOD ADMINISTRATORS IN THIS CHURCH v 0AULSEN DECLARED 0AULSEN SAID THE CONSISTENT MESSAGE OF 3CRIPTURE THE OPERATING THE !DVENTIST #HURCH S WORLD HEADQUARTERS lXED WRITINGS OF %LLEN ' 7HITE AND FROM !DVENTIST HISTORY IS AT PERCENT OF WORLD TITHE hTHAT 'OD WANTS THIS CHURCH TO STAY UNITED ,ET US MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT THIS v (E ADMITTED hFROM TIME TO TIME ISSUES COME UP WHICH TEST OUR COMMITMENT TO UNITY v 0AULSEN 3OUNDS 5NITY 4HEME 4HE WORLD CHURCH LEADER ALSO ADDRESSED SEVERAL h7HAT YOU DO AS A LEADER IN THE CHURCH DO IT WITH CONTINUING ISSUES THAT HAVE SOMETIMES SEEMED TO CHALLENGE LOVE FOR THE ,ORD AND WITH LOVE FOR (IS PEOPLE DO IT WITH THE GLOBAL CHURCH S UNITY INTEGRITY AND KEEP YOUR HEART CLEAN v 0ASTOR *AN 0AULSEN /N THE CONTINUING QUESTION OF THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN WORLD PRESIDENT OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH SAID IN MINISTRY 0AULSEN COUNSELED WHAT MAY BE SEEN AS A MIDDLE HIS /CTOBER 3ABBATH MORNING MESSAGE TO CHURCH LEADERS PATH h) ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE MEN AND WOMEN TO 0AULSEN SERVING HIS SECOND FULL TERM ISSUED A CALL FOR FOLLOW THE CALLING 'OD HAS PLACED WITHIN THEM 4O DENY DENOMINATIONAL UNITY A UNITED MOVEMENT IS A hSHARED TRUST FOR THE SAKE OF #HRIST AND THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH v HE DECLARED THE CALLING 'OD MAY HAVE GIVEN THEM IS OFTEN AT THE RISK OF THEIR OWN SPIRITUAL LIFE )F THIS IS AN EMPLOYMENT ISSUE WHICH h)F THE EXERCISE OF MY FREEDOM CAUSES DAMAGE TO YOU YOU NEED TO lX IN YOUR PART OF THE WORLD THEN LET S DO THAT THEN IT WAS WRONG AND NOT IN HARMONY WITH THE WILL OF #HRIST v 0AULSEN SAID IN EXPLAINING THE WORDS OF THE APOSTLE 7E ARE GOING TO NEED EVERYONEˆEVERYONEˆTO lNISH OUR 0AUL AS FOUND IN #ORINTHIANS !LTHOUGH 0AUL S COMMENTS MISSION AND FOR 'OD TO USHER IN ETERNITY v HE SAID )N HIS COMMENTS 0AULSEN ALSO SAID THAT CONTINUING INITIALLY CONCERNED FOOD 0AULSEN SAID THIS WAS hJUST THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE CHURCH S DElNITION OF THE NATURE OF #HRIST ILLUSTRATION 4HE REAL ISSUE IS 7HAT SHOULD GOVERN THE WILL NOT hON MY WATCH v CAUSE A REEVALUATION BY THE CHURCH DECISIONS AND ACTIONS WE TAKE (IS ANSWER CLEARLY TAKES US h) THINK THERE IS A REASON FOR WHY WE HAVE CHOSEN TO SHOWING CONSIDERATION AND DEFERRING TO OTHERS v GENEROUS LANGUAGE IN DESCRIBING OUR POSITION AS A CHURCH ON (E ADDED h7E ARE BONDED IN UNITY AND WE HAVE TO THE NATURE OF #HRIST 4HE UNIQUENESS OF *ESUS #HRIST WHOLLY TRUST EACH OTHER TO DO RIGHT v 'OD AND WHOLLY MANˆNO ONE ELSE MATCHES THE hONLY )N ORDER TO PRESERVE UNITY 0AULSEN SAID CHURCH LEADERS MUST RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO JUMP INTO MATTERS BEYOND THEIR BEGOTTENNESSv OF THAT /NE LEADS US TO SAY THAT v 0AULSEN SAID (E ADDED h) HAVE TO TELL YOU ) JUST CANNOT IMAGINE A JURISDICTION h4HE TASK ELSEWHERE IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY YOU POST MODERN PERSON IN %UROPE A BUSINESSMAN IN !SIA OR WERE CHOSEN TO HANDLEˆAT LEAST NOT JUST NOW )T IS NOT FOR ME TO RESOLVE /THERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN FOR THAT ROLE AND THE ,ATIN !MERICA ANY MORE THAN A FARMER IN !FRICA WILL CARE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY SUCCEED OR NOT THEY WILL HAVE TO ANSWER ONE IOTA WHETHER #HRIST HAD THE NATURE OF MAN BEFORE THE FALL OR AFTER THE FALL 4HE REALITIES OF THE WORLD IN WHICH WE TO THE ,ORD FOR JUST AS YOU AND ) WILL FOR OURS v LIVE HAVE OTHER CONCERNS WHICH OCCUPY US v (E ADDED h7E CANNOT BE lXERS OF THINGS OUT THERE 0AULSEN SAID SUCH DISCUSSIONS OFTEN FOCUS ON THE BEYOND OUR MANDATE ) HAVE TO TRUST OTHERS WHO ARE NEARER TO POSSIBILITY OF LIVING A VICTORIOUS #HRISTIAN LIFE (OWEVER THE MATTER AND WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IT IS TO TAKE CARE OF IT v HE ADDED SUCH VICTORY WILL NOT BE ATTAINED BY hSETTLING THE !LTHOUGH hPEOPLE WRITE TO ME ABOUT A GREAT VARIETY OF THINGS THEY WANT ME TO lX v 0AULSEN SAID hIF THERE ARE ISSUES PRECISE HUMAN NATURE OF #HRIST IT WILL BE BY EXPERIENCING REALLY IN NEED OF lXING IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK FOR ME TO TRY THE @POWER OF (IS RESURRECTION $ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
7 / 2 , $ 6 ) 3 4!
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INE PASTORS FROM ACROSS .ORTH !MERICA MET WITH WORLD CHURCH PRESIDENT 0ASTOR *AN 0AULSEN ON 3EPTEMBER FOR AN UNSCRIPTED UNEDITED CONVERSATION BROADCAST LIVE ON THE (OPE #HANNEL )N A WIDE RANGING DISCUSSION THESE SEVEN MEN AND TWO WOMEN TALKED WITH 0ASTOR 0AULSEN ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF CARING FOR A LOCAL CONGREGATION )N THIS INTERVIEW WITH !DVENTIST 7ORLD 0ASTOR 0AULSEN REmECTS ON HIS EXPERIENCE WITH h0ASTORS )N #ONVERSATION v
STRENGTHENING COMFORTING MINISTERING TO THE WHOLE !DVENTIST COMMUNITY !ND YET THEY FEEL PERHAPS THAT THEIR VOICE IS NOT HEARD DIRECTLY BY SENIOR LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH !ND THIS IS A VERY FAIR POINT ) UNDERSTAND THIS FEELING ) WOULD LIKE PASTORS TO SENSE ALSO THAT THOSE OF US IN LEADERSHIP WISH WE HAD A STRONGER LINKAGE TO THEM 7E WISH WE UNDERSTOOD BETTER THEIR CHALLENGES AND JOYS THEIR FRUSTRATIONS AND HOPESˆFOR THE ROLES OF ELECTED LEADERSHIP AND CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRY mOW INTO EACH OTHER &IFTY
I N C O N V E R S A T I O N !DVENTIST 7ORLD -ANY PEOPLE HAVE SEEN YOUR TELEVISED CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CHURCH S YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE PAST FOUR YEARSˆTHE ,ET S 4ALK BROADCASTS 7HY DID YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A DIALOGUE WITH PASTORS 7HY IS THIS CONVERSATION IMPORTANT
*AN 0AULSEN ) FEEL THAT LOCAL CHURCH PASTORS ARE KEYˆ ABSOLUTELY CENTRALˆTO EVERYTHING WE ARE AND DO AS A CHURCH 4HEY ARE THE CARETAKERS OF THE CONGREGATION .O MATTER WHO WE ARE WHERE WE RE EMPLOYED WHERE WE LIVE AROUND THE GLOBE WE ALL HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON WE ARE CARED FOR BY THE LOCAL CHURCH PASTOR 7E COME TO CHURCH EACH WEEK AND THIS IS WHERE WE LOOK FOR MUCH OF OUR SPIRITUAL NURTURE 4HE PASTORS ) MET WITH REPRESENT A GROUP OF SOME GLOBALLY WHO HAVE THIS VERY VERY IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT )T S AN ASSIGNMENT OF TRUST GIVEN TO THEM BY THE ,ORD 3O ) WANTED TO HONOR THESE PASTORS FOR THE SACREDNESS OF THEIR TASKˆFOR THE WEIGHT AND STRENGTH OF THE CALLING THEY HAVE !ND ) WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS GROUP MORE THAN ANY OTHER WITHIN THE CHURCH SHAPES AND INmUENCES OUR SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY AROUND THE WORLD 4HE VERY FACT THAT YOU CONVENED THIS CONVERSATION IMPLIES THAT THERE IS A COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN THOSE IN CHURCH ADMINISTRATION AND THOSE IN LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRY )S THIS THE CASE
9ES ) THINK IT IS ) THINK THAT PASTORS HAVE FELT THEY BEAR SUCH A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY IN CARING FOR THE CHURCHˆIN NURTURING
*AN 0AULSEN IS PRESIDENT OF THE WORLDWIDE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
0AST 7ITH
YEARS AGO ) BEGAN IN CHURCH WORK AS A LOCAL CHURCH PASTOR "UT THAT S A LONG TIME AGO )F THERE S A DISCONNECT IN MY UNDERSTANDING ) WOULD LIKE TO HEAL THAT ) HOPE THIS RECENT BROADCAST IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF MANY SUCH CONVERSATIONS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD !ND ) WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS DIALOGUE CLIMAX AT THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE 3ESSION IN IN !TLANTA WHERE WE PLAN TO PROlLE THE !DVENTIST PASTOR DURING lVE PRIME TIME SLOTSˆ JUST AS WE PROlLED !DVENTIST LEADERSHIP AT THE SESSION IN 3T ,OUIS 7E WILL LOOK AT THE JOYS THE FULlLLMENT THE CHALLENGES THE FRUSTRATIONS THE HOPES AND THE SACREDNESS OF THE CALLING OF THOSE IN LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRY ) WANT THE WHOLE RICHNESS OF THAT EXPERIENCE TO BE PLACED BEFORE THE CHURCH ) WANT US TO ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLICLY HOW CRITICAL THEIR WORK IS TO THE WELL BEING OF THE CHURCH
-ANY OF THE QUESTIONS THE PASTORS ASKED DURING THIS BROADCAST WERE VERY PRACTICAL IN NATURE RATHER THAN THEORETICAL OR THEOLOGICAL $ID THAT SURPRISE YOU
) HAD THOUGHT THAT MORE THEOLOGICAL ISSUES MIGHT HAVE EMERGED BUT THEY DID NOT 9ES THE QUESTIONS THEY ASKED RELATED MAINLY TO THE DAY TO DAY DEMANDS OF PASTORING
ORS
A LOCAL CHURCH ) SENSED FOR INSTANCE A CONCERN AMONG MANY FOR THE HEALTH OF THEIR OWN FAMILY LIFEˆTHAT WHILE THEY DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO SHEPHERDING A mOCK THEY DO NOT LOSE THEIR FAMILY !ND THIS IS SO IMPORTANT 4HEY NEED TO MAKE UP FRONT DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR SCHEDULES ABOUT GETTING THE RIGHT BALANCE 4HEY ALSO RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT MINISTERING TO CULTURALLY DIVERSE CONGREGATIONS ! FEW DECADES AGO A CONGREGATION WAS LIKELY TO BE OF ONE CULTURE ONE ETHNICITY "UT TODAY PEOPLE ARE ON THE MOVE ALL THE TIME 0ASTORS ARE CALLED ON TO MINISTER TO PEOPLE OF MANY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS !ND HOW ARE THEY TO DO THIS EFFECTIVELY ) TRIED TO CONVEY MY STRONG CONVICTION THAT lNDING A SOLUTION TO SO MANY OF THESE ISSUES MUST TAKE PLACE WITHIN LOCAL CONGREGATIONS 4AKE IT TO YOUR CHURCH BOARD TAKE IT TO YOUR ELDERS $ON T ASK YOUR CONFERENCE OR UNION OR DIVISION THEY PROBABLY DON T KNOW !ND DON T ASK ME ) AM TOO FAR REMOVED FROM MANY OF THESE THINGS 3O THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR lXING MANY OF THESE THINGS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IS HUGE "UT ON THE OTHER HAND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT S IMPORTANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND DRAW ON THE BROADER PERSPECTIVEˆTHAT STRONG CONNECTION TO THE WORLDWIDE
CHURCH FAMILY ) FEEL THAT WITHIN SOME CULTURES ACCESS TO THE PULPIT BY CHURCH LEADERS MAY SOMETIMES BE MORE RESTRICTED THAN IS HEALTHY FOR THE LOCAL CONGREGATION )T S GOOD FOR OUR MEMBERS TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHOSE MINISTERIAL MANDATE EXTENDS BEYOND THAT OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION 4HIS STRENGTHENS THE LOCAL CHURCH S BOND TO THE WIDER !DVENTIST COMMUNITY ) FEEL THAT PASTORS NEED TO lLTER THIS INTO THEIR PLANNING AND THINKING 3OME OF THEM DON T THEY ARE TOO PROTECTIVE OF THEIR OWN LOCAL PULPIT 7ERE THERE ANY OTHER CONCERNS THAT CAME THROUGH STRONGLY
3OMETHING ) HAD HEARD BEFORE BUT WHICH REALLY STRUCK ME DURING THIS CONVERSATION WAS IN REGARD TO WOMEN IN MINISTRY )T CAME THROUGH CLEARLY THAT THE ISSUE FOR MANY WOMEN IS NOT ORDINATION IT S SIMPLY BEING ABLE TO FUNCTION IN MINISTRY -ANY WOMEN TRAIN FOR MINISTRY BUT ARE NOT PICKED UP FOR SERVICE IN A LOCAL CONGREGATION !ND IT S NOT NECESSARILY A PROBLEM AT THE CONFERENCE OFlCE BUT AT THE LOCAL CHURCH WHICH SAYS 0UT A WOMAN SOMEWHERE ELSE 4HIS IS SO REGRETTABLE -Y RESPONSE DURING THE BROADCAST WAS TO ENCOURAGE A WOMAN WHO FEELS THAT 'OD HAS PLACED A CALLING TO THE MINISTRY WITHIN HER HEART TO GO WITH IT TO TRAIN AND PREPARE PROFESSIONALLY ) HAVE A STRONG CONVICTION THAT IF YOU ARE DISOBEDIENT TO THIS INNER CALL FROM 'OD YOU PLACE YOUR OWN SPIRITUALITY IN DANGER 3O THE CHALLENGES THAT SOME WOMEN FACE IN MINISTRYˆTHIS STRUCK ME MORE STRONGLY THAN IT HAS BEFORE h0ASTORS )N #ONVERSATIONv CAN BE SEEN ONLINE ON THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH 7EB SITE WWW ADVENTIST ORG PASTORSINCONVERSATION &UTURE CONVERSATIONS WITH PASTORS WILL BE BROADCAST ON THE (OPE #HANNEL WWW HOPETV ORG $ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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"Y 2OBERT ' 7EARNER
HAS MADE STEADY PROGRESS EVER SINCE $OCTORS ( % "UTKA (ARRY 4 0ITMAN %LMER "OTTSFORD AND OTHERS "/,)6)! HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN MEDICAL WORK IN "OLIVIA THROUGHOUT THE YEARS #APITAL ,A 0AZ ADMINISTRATIVE 3UCRE LEGAL ! SOLID EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM HAS /FlCIAL LANGUAGES 3PANISH 1UECHUA !YMARA DEVELOPED WHICH INCLUDES MANY 2ELIGION 2OMAN #ATHOLIC OTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND SINCE THE FOUNDING OF "OLIVIA !DVENTIST 0OPULATION 5NIVERSITY 5NIVERSIDAD !DVENTISTA !DVENTIST MEMBERSHIP AT THE END OF DE "OLIVIA )T IS LOCATED AT 6INTO !DVENTIST TO 0OPULATION RATIO #OCHABAMBA ,OCATED IN THE SAME CITY IS THE .EW !MERICAN REPUBLICS THE lRST OLIVIA IS A LANDLOCKED COUNTRY 4IME #OMMUNICATION #ENTER #ENTRO LOCATED NEAR THE CENTER OF 3OUTH !DVENTIST MISSIONARIES IN "OLIVIA WERE DE #OMUNICACIONES .UEVO 4IEMPO COLPORTEURS *UAN 3 0EREYRA A FORMER !MERICA )T IS BOUNDED TO THE WHICH OPERATES RADIO AND 46 STATIONS 0RESBYTERIAN COLPORTEUR FROM #HILE WEST BY THE MAJESTIC SNOWCAPPED AND A "IBLE CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL SOLD THE BOOKS 0ATRIARCHS AND 0ROPHETS !NDES -OUNTAINS THAT SURROUND A 4HE MOST RECENT EVANGELISTIC AND 3TEPS TO #HRIST IN "OLIVIA AS EARLY AS EVENT WAS h4HE (OPE )S *ESUSv SERIES HIGH DRY PLAIN ! VAST LOWLAND PLAIN )MPRISONED AND CONDEMNED TO SPREADS TOWARD THE NORTH AND EAST SPONSORED BY THE "OLIVIAN 5NION WITH DEATH THROUGH THE INmUENCE OF 2OMAN 3HAWN "OONSTRA FROM THE )T )S 7RITTEN 4HE NATION IS RICH IN NATURAL #ATHOLIC CLERGY HE ESCAPED DEATH RESOURCES AND IS A LEADING PRODUCER TELEVISION MINISTRY AS GUEST SPEAKER !LL OF TIN "UT FREQUENT WARS AND UNSTABLE THROUGH THE HELP OF A FRIENDLY JUDGE ACROSS THE NATION LAY MEMBERS LINKED WHO HAD BECOME A 3ABBATHKEEPER AFTER ARMS WITH PASTORS TO BRING THE GOSPEL POLITICAL CONDITIONS HAVE HAMPERED READING THE BOOKS SOLD BY 0EREYRA ECONOMIC GROWTH OF #HRIST TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS -ORE %DWARD 7 4HOMANN AND HIS $URING THE S 3PAIN CONQUERED THAN EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGNS WERE WIFE &LORA WERE SENT TO "OLIVIA TO THE NATIVE INHABITANTS AND RULED HELD AS A RESULT )N !PRIL )T )S 7RITTEN DIRECT THE WORK IN 4WO YEARS THE REGION UNTIL WHEN "OLIVIA PARTICIPATED IN A SERIES OF REAPING LATER &ERDINAND 3TAHL AND HIS WIFE WON ITS INDEPENDENCE 4HE NEW MEETINGS &OR EIGHT NIGHTS %VANGELIST !NA STARTED MEDICAL WORK AMONG THE "OONSTRA PREACHED TO THOUSANDS OF COUNTRY WAS NAMED AFTER 3IM˜N INDIGENOUS POPULATION )N THEY "OL¤VAR THE 6ENEZUELAN GENERAL WHO PEOPLE WHO HAD GATHERED IN HUNDREDS MOVED TO 0ERU WHERE THEY SPENT MOST OF AUDITORIUMS TO WATCH h4HE (OPE )S HELPED "OLIVIA AND SEVERAL OTHER OF THEIR CAREER /N !UGUST 3OUTH !MERICAN COUNTRIES WIN THEIR *ESUSv PROGRAMS BROADCAST LIVE FROM THE 2OSA . $OERING BECAME THE lRST INDEPENDENCE FROM 3PAIN !DVENTIST 5NIVERSITY AT #OCHABAMBA "OLIVIAN TO BE BAPTIZED -ISSION WORK 4HE RESULT PEOPLE BAPTIZED !S WITH MOST OTHER 3OUTH
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!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
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0ERNICIOUS
!NEM A
"Y !LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES AND 0ETER . ,ANDLESS -Y AUNT HAS RECENTLY BEEN DIAGNOSED AS HAVING PERNICIOUS ANEMIA 7HAT IS THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT IS THE CAUSE ERNICIOUS ANEMIA IS A CONDITION IN WHICH THERE ARE INADEQUATE RED BLOOD CELLS 4HIS IS BECAUSE OF A DElCIENCY OF AN ESSENTIAL SUBSTANCE CALLED VITAMIN " OR COBALAMIN 4HIS VITAMIN COMPOUND IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE FORMATION OF RED BLOOD CELLS )T ALSO PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THE BUILDING OF $.! WHICH IS PRESENT IN ALL CELLS 2ED BLOOD CELLS AND NERVE CELLS ARE ESPECIALLY DEPENDENT ON VITAMIN " IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FUNCTION NORMALLY !S DISCUSSED IN THE .OVEMBER ISSUE OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD ANEMIA IS THE CONDITION IN WHICH INSUFlCIENT RED BLOOD CELLS HEMOGLOBIN EXIST TO CARRY OXYGEN TO THE BODY FOR ALL ITS NEEDS ENERGY PRODUCTION METABOLISM AND SIMPLY STAYING ALIVE OPTIMALLY 4HIS PLACES A STRAIN ON THE HEART AND MANY OTHER ORGANS )N THE CASE OF PERNICIOUS ANEMIA ASSOCIATED SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF NERVE DYSFUNCTION ARE OFTEN EXHIBITED 4HESE CAN INCLUDE THE LOSS OF ABILITY TO FEEL VIBRATION IN THE LIMBS AND THE POSITION OF THE TOES IN RELATION TO THE FEET 4HIS DYSFUNCTION USUALLY STARTS IN THE LEGS BUT THEN LATER AFFECTS THE ARMS 4HIS IS BECAUSE OF SPINAL CORD DAMAGE 4HERE MAY BE PROGRESSION TO PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS AND DEMENTIA LOSS OF ABILITY TO THINK AND REASON 4HE TONGUE IS ALSO AFFECTED IN THE ADVANCED STAGE OF THE DISEASE AND BECOMES INmAMED WITH A RED hBEEFYv APPEARANCE 5LCERS ON THE TONGUE MAY ALSO APPEAR 0ERNICIOUS ANEMIA MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES
0
SUCH AS THOSE THAT AFFECT THE THYROID ADRENAL GLANDS SKIN OVARIES OR PANCREAS /THER CAUSES OF POOR ABSORPTION OF " INCLUDE STOMACH AND OR BOWEL SURGERY CERTAIN CANCERS AND BACTERIAL INFECTIONS 0ERNICIOUS ANEMIA IS ONE OF A GROUP OF ANEMIAS CALLED MEGALOBLASTIC OR LARGE CELL ANEMIAS 4HESE ANEMIAS MAY HAVE A VARIETY OF CAUSES INCLUDING NUTRITIONAL VITAMIN " DElCIENCY FOLIC ACID DElCIENCY PARASITIC INFESTATIONS CHEMOTHERAPY CERTAIN MEDICATIONS AND ALCOHOL 7HAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR THIS KIND OF ANEMIA ERNICIOUS ANEMIA RESULTS FROM THE INABILITY OF THE BODY TO ABSORB VITAMIN " TAKEN IN FOOD OR ANY ORAL FORM )T IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO GIVE VITAMIN " INJECTIONS ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR LIFE 4HESE INJECTIONS ARE GIVEN INTO THE MUSCLE )F THE ANEMIA IS CAUSED BY A NUTRITIONAL LACK OF " IN THE DIET AND THERE IS NO ABSORPTION PROBLEM FROM THE BOWEL ADDING THE APPROPRIATE FOODS AND OR VITAMIN " SUPPLEMENTS BY MOUTH IS USUALLY SUFlCIENT 4HE TREATMENT NEEDS TO BE MONITORED TO ENSURE AN ADEQUATE RESPONSE 4HIS IS SHOWN BY A RETURN OF THE RED CELLS TO THEIR NORMAL SIZE AND FUNCTION 0ERNICIOUS ANEMIA IS A DISEASE CONDITION THAT NEEDS TO BE DIAGNOSED AND TREATED IN GOOD TIME 7HEN TREATED APPROPRIATELY AND IN TIME NOT ONLY DOES THE ANEMIA REVERSE BUT THE DAMAGE TO THE NERVOUS AND OTHER SYSTEMS RESOLVES )F THE CONDITION IS NEGLECTED PERMANENT DAMAGE AND EVEN DEATH CAN OCCUR
0
7HAT ARE THE SOURCES OF VITAMIN " ITAMIN " IS PRODUCED ONLY BY MICROORGANISMS AND HUMANS RECEIVE VITAMIN " ONLY FROM THE DIET )T IS PRESENT ONLY IN FOODS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN INCLUDING MILK AND EGGS 3OME CLAIM THAT VITAMIN " CAN BE OBTAINED FROM VEGETABLES THIS IS FROM BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION AND MANURE IN WHICH THE PLANTS ARE GROWN AND IS BOTH UNHYGIENIC AND INSUFlCIENT 7ELL PLANNED OVOLACTOVEGETARIAN DIETS PLANT BASED WITH EGGS AND DAIRY PRODUCTS USUALLY SUPPLY ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF VITAMIN " )F ONE CHOOSES TO EAT A TOTAL VEGETARIAN DIET IT IS ESSENTIAL TO SUPPLEMENT THE INTAKE OF VITAMIN " IN TABLET OR SYRUP FORM &AILURE TO DO SO SETS ONE ON A SURE COURSE FOR HEALTH PROBLEMS 4HE BODY HAS STORES OF VITAMIN " THAT LAST UP TO FOUR YEARS IT MAY TAKE TO YEARS FOR THE DElCIENCY TO SHOW IN A CLINICAL FORM 4HE MESSAGE IS THAT THE DIET MUST BE WELL PLANNED AND IF NECESSARY SUPPLEMENTAL " SHOULD BE TAKEN
6
!LLAN 2 (ANDYSIDES - " #H " &2#0# &2#3# &!#/' IS DIRECTOR OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE (EALTH -INISTRIES $EPARTMENT 0ETER . ,ANDLESS - " " #H - -ED & # 0 3! & ! # # IS )#0! EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF (EALTH -INISTRIES $ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
& 5 . $ ! - % . 4 ! , " % , ) % & 3
3ATURATED 7 TH .5-"%2
EAN N -
"Y 'ERALD ! +LINGBEIL
7HAT DO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH THE ,ORD S 3UPPER 3TAINED GLASS WINDOWS LITTLE CUPS HUSHED SOLEMN SOUNDS ) SEE A BEACH ON THE !TLANTIC COAST IN &RANCE WHERE WE CELEBRATED THIS IMPORTANT #HRISTIAN RITE SITTING ON THE GROUND WITH SURF BOARDS AS TABLES DURING A YOUTH MISSION CAMP ) ALSO SEE THE LITTLE OLD MAN SOMEWHERE IN THE !NDES IN 0ERU IN A TINY CHURCH WHO KNELT BEFORE ME AND WHOSE CALLOUSED HANDS TOOK MY FEET AND CAREFULLY WASHED THEM 7E DID NOT SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE BUT WE UNDERSTOOD EACH OTHER 4HE ,ORD S 3UPPER ALSO REMINDS ME OF THE THOUSANDS WHO THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES WERE KILLED BECAUSE NEITHER #ATHOLICS NOR 0ROTESTANTS OR EVEN 0ROTESTANTS AMONG THEMSELVES COULD AGREE ON ITS MEANING AND PRECISE THEOLOGICAL RAMIlCATIONS 4OGETHER WITH BAPTISM THE
'ERALD ! +LINGBEIL IS DEAN OF THE 3CHOOL OF 4HEOLOGY AT THE !DVENTIST )NTERNATIONAL )NSTITUTE OF !DVANCED 3TUDIES IN THE 0HILIPPINES
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
4HE ,ORD S 3UPPER GETS TO THE HEART OF OUR #HRISTIAN WALK
CELEBRATION OF THE ,ORD S 3UPPER IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT RITUAL IN THE #HRISTIAN CHURCH EXPLICITLY INSTITUTED BY OUR ,ORD *ESUS (IMSELF -ATT *OHN ,IKE ANY RITUAL IT SPEAKS TO THOSE PARTICIPATING IN IT REINFORCING SOME OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS OF OUR #HRISTIAN WALK NAMELY A THAT SALVATION DOES NOT COME FROM WITHIN BUT RATHER IS A GIFT MADE POSSIBLE ONLY THROUGH THE SACRIlCE OF OUR 3AVIOR *ESUS #HRIST B THAT SERVICE AND HUMILITY ARE NOT JUST THEOLOGICAL CONCEPTS BUT ARE RATHER ELEMENTS TO BE PUT INTO PRACTICE AND C UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL 0OWERFUL 3YMBOL
4HE ,ORD S 3UPPER ACTUALLY HAS ITS ROOTS IN THE /LD 4ESTAMENT AND IS ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE OF THE UNBREAKABLE UNITY BETWEEN 'OD S REVELATION IN BOTH 4ESTAMENTS IN REGARD TO THE PLAN OF SALVATION ,ET S GO BACK TO THE lRST ,ORD S 3UPPER )T S 0ASSOVER TIME IN *ERUSALEM AND *ESUS AND (IS DISCIPLES ARE GETTING READY TO CELEBRATE THIS IMPORTANT YEARLY RITUAL THAT REMINDED THEM OF 'OD S SAVING GRACE IN THE FACE OF THE OVERPOWERING MIGHT OF
THE ENEMY SEE -ATT AND PARALLEL TEXTS ! ROOM IS SECURED AND THE TRADITIONAL 0ASCAL LAMB UNLEAVENED BREAD BITTER HERBS AND DIFFERENT CUPS ARE PREPARED *ESUS KNEELS BEFORE (IS BICKERING DISCIPLES AND WASHES THEIR DIRTY FEET *OHN A JOB NORMALLY DONE BY SLAVES 4HE ROASTED 0ASSOVER LAMB IS PASSED AROUND THEN THE UNLEAVENED BREAD AND BITTER HERBS 3UDDENLY *ESUS SPEAKS UP h4AKE EAT THIS IS -Y BODYv -ATT (E ALSO TAKES THE CUP AND TELLS THEM TO hDRINK x FOR THIS IS -Y BLOOD OF THE NEW COVENANT WHICH IS SHED FOR MANY FOR THE REMISSION OF SINSv -ATT "OTH THE BREAD AND THE CUP REPRESENT THE COMMON DAILY FARE OF THE ORDINARY PEASANT LIVING IN 0ALESTINE "UT *ESUS USES THESE COMMON ELEMENTS AND GIVES THEM NEW MEANING 0AUL WRITES ABOUT THIS IN HIS lRST EPISTLE TO THE #ORINTHIAN CHURCH A CHURCH WITH A MIXED ETHNIC MAKEUP REMINDING US THAT EATING AND DRINKING TOGETHER DOES NOT ONLY CREATE COMMUNITY BUT HELPS US REMEMBER THE INCREDIBLE SACRIlCE OF THE 3ON OF 'OD #OR "Y LOOKING BACK BY hREMEMBERINGv #HRIST S DEATH ON
THE CROSS WE LOOK AWAY FROM OURSELVES AND FOCUS ON THE MOST INCREDIBLE AUDACIOUS AND TRANSFORMING NEWS IMAGINABLE 4HE NEWS OF A 'OD WHO DOES NOT SIT ISOLATED IN (IS CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS SO TO SPEAK FAR REMOVED FROM THE REALITY OF SIN AND PAIN BUT WHO IS PREPARED TO HUMBLE (IMSELF AND DIE FOR AN UNGRATEFUL CREATION 4HE ,ORD S 3UPPER NOT ONLY REMINDS US OF *ESUS DEATH BUT GIVES A LOUD AND PUBLIC PROCLAMATION OF *ESUS VICTORY OVER SIN AND LOOKS FORWARD TO THAT GLORIOUS DAY OF (IS SECOND COMING #OR 4HIS LOOKING FORWARD IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF #HRISTIAN THEOLOGY AND LIFESTYLE )T REMINDS US THAT LIFE IS NOT JUST OR OR YEARS WITH THE GRAVE AWAITING US AT THE END BUT THAT THERE IS HOPE BEYOND THE GRAVE 7E WILL BE UNITED WITH LOVED ONES AND WITH OUR RISEN 3AVIOR ON THAT GREAT DAY WHEN (E WILL hWIPE AWAY EVERY TEARv 2EV CF )SA
G
! &ACTOR /FTEN -ISUNDERSTOOD
4HE BOOK OF 2EVELATION DESCRIBES THIS REUNION IN TERMS OF A GREAT WEDDING FEAST 2EV WHICH AGAIN IS A REMINDER OF THE ,ORD S 3UPPER AND THE EARLIER 0ASSOVER MEAL )N FACT EATING AND DRINKING IMAGERY IS USED OFTEN IN THE BOOK OF 2EVELATION AND IS CONNECTED TO lNAL VICTORY AND CELEBRATIONS 2EV AND 4HE IMAGERY ALSO INTRODUCES THE IDEA OF lNAL JUDGMENT 2EV AND 4HIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF JUDGMENT AND EATING AND DRINKING IS ALSO PRESENT IN THE ,ORD S 3UPPER 0AUL REMINDS THE CHURCH AT #ORINTH THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE ,ORD S 3UPPER IN AN hUNWORTHY MANNERv hEATS AND DRINKS JUDGMENT
TO HIMSELF v #OR AND IS hGUILTY OF THE BODY AND THE BLOOD OF THE ,ORDv #OR )N OTHER WORDS WHEN YOU AND ) PARTICIPATE IN THE ,ORD S 3UPPER WITHOUT HAVING REPENTED OF HURTFUL THOUGHTS WRONG DEEDS AND SELlSH MOTIVES WE TURN DOWN AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY 7E KEEP ON CARRYING THESE SINS WITH US INSTEAD OF hUPLOADINGv THEM TO OUR HEAVENLY 3IN BEARER AND HAVING THEM WIPED AWAY FROM OUR RECORD 4HESE SENTIMENTS FROM 0AUL MAY BE THE REASON THAT SOME OF US DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE ,ORD S 3UPPER 0ERHAPS WE FEEL UNWORTHYˆFEEL THAT OUR MESSED UP LIVES CANNOT BE PUT INTO BALANCE AGAIN 0ERHAPS WE CANNOT FORGIVE WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO US !CTUALLY THESE ARE NOT THE THINGS THAT MAKE US UNWORTHY 4HE ONLY TIME WE PARTAKE OF THE 3UPPER IN AN UNWORTHY MANNER IS WHEN WE NO LONGER HEAR THE VOICE OF THE (OLY 3PIRITˆTHE 3PIRIT WHO LOVINGLY SPEAKS TO US WHO UNMISTAKABLY CONVICTS US AND WHO WANTS TO TRANSFORM US 4HOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THAT lRST 3UPPER WERE NOT mAWLESS OR PERFECT )NDEED ALL THE PARTICIPANTS THAT NIGHT DENOUNCED THEIR FAITH BETRAYED THEIR -ASTER OR JUST SIMPLY RAN AWAY "UT THROUGH THE ,ORD S 3UPPER 'OD HAS PROVIDED US WITH A WONDERFUL
WAY OF PHYSICALLY REJOINING THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE BELIEVERS "Y WASHING ONE ANOTHER S FEET BY EATING AND DRINKING THE EMBLEMS OF THE DEATH OF *ESUS #HRIST BY JOINING IN THE JOYFUL SONG OF VICTORY AND SALVATION THAT FOLLOWS EACH #OMMUNION SERVICE WE BECOME PART OF THE INVISIBLE BODY OF #HRISTˆTHE BRIDE GETTING READY TO MEET HER "RIDEGROOM .EW -EMORIES .EW 3ONGS
) STILL REMEMBER ALL THESE WONDERFUL #OMMUNION SERVICESˆSOMETIMES HELD IN STRANGE PLACES OFTEN BRINGING ME TOGETHER WITH PEOPLE ) DID NOT KNOW BEFORE BUT ALWAYS DRAWING ME CLOSER TO MY 3AVIOR %VERY TIME ) PARTICIPATE IN THE 3UPPER FORGIVENESS BECOMES A REALITY NEW MEMORIES OF VICTORIES ARE ADDED NEW SONGS ARE WRITTEN AND LIVES ARE CHANGED ) LOVE TO COME TO THE TABLE $ON T YOU 4HE THREE 'OSPELS THAT RECOUNT THE STORY OF THE ,AST 3UPPER ALL INCLUDE THE TERM hCUPv -ATT -ARK ,UKE ALSO #OR WHICH DOES NOT ACTUALLY SPECIFY WHAT KIND OF DRINK WAS IN THE CUP 4HE INDICATION OF THE CUP S CONTENTS COMES ONLY IN *ESUS LATER STATEMENT THAT (E WOULD NOT PARTAKE hOF THIS FRUIT OF THE VINEv UNTIL THE lNAL ESCHATOLOGICAL BANQUET -ATT &OR A MORE IN DEPTH DISCUSSION SEE 'ERALD ! +LINGBEIL "RIDGING THE 'AP 2ITUAL AND 2ITUAL 4EXTS IN THE "IBLE "ULLETIN FOR "IBLICAL 2ESEARCH 3UPPLEMENTS 7INONA ,AKE )NDIANA %ISENBRAUNS PP &OR MORE DETAILS SEE 'ERALD ! +LINGBEIL h@%ATING AND @$RINKING IN THE "OOK OF 2EVELATION ! 3TUDY OF .EW 4ESTAMENT 4HOUGHT AND 4HEOLOGY v *OURNAL OF THE !DVENTIST 4HEOLOGICAL 3OCIETY PP n
S ORD ,
4HE
4HE ,ORD S 3UPPER IS A PARTICIPATION IN THE EMBLEMS OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF *ESUS AS AN EXPRESSION OF FAITH IN (IM OUR ,ORD AND 3AVIOUR )N THIS EXPERIENCE OF #OMMUNION #HRIST IS PRESENT TO MEET AND STRENGTHEN (IS PEOPLE !S WE PARTAKE WE JOYFULLY PROCLAIM THE ,ORD S DEATH UNTIL (E COMES AGAIN 0REPARATION FOR THE 3UPPER INCLUDES SELF EXAMINATION REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION 4HE -ASTER ORDAINED THE SERVICE OF FOOT WASHING TO SIGNIFY RENEWED CLEANSING TO EXPRESS A WILLINGNESS TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER IN #HRISTLIKE HUMILITY AND TO UNITE OUR HEARTS IN LOVE 4HE #OMMUNION SERVICE IS OPEN TO ALL BELIEVING #HRISTIANS #OR -ATT 2EV *OHN
3UPPER
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
! $ 6 % . 4 ) 3 4 , ) & %
)#%,!.$ !N !DVENTIST CHURCH IS ESTABLISHED IN THIS 7ESTERN )SLANDS COMMUNITY IN THE SOUTH OF )CELAND
+)$3 ). $)3#)0,%3()0 #HILDREN PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS HAVE INTERGEN ERATIONAL FUN DURING A h+IDS IN $ISCIPLESHIPv PROGRAM
2E &ORMAT ON IN CELAND ) # / 5 2 4 % 3 9 / & ) # % , ! . $ # / . & % 2 % . # %
3
EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS IN )CELAND ARE MAKING DISCIPLESHIP A PRIORITY )N THE )CELAND #ONFERENCE CREATED A NEW AND SEPARATE DEPARTMENT FOR DISCIPLESHIP h7E LIVE IN A WORLD OF CRUMBLING SPIRITUALITY AND COLLAPSING MORALS A DEVELOPMENT THAT UNFORTUNATELY INlLTRATES THE CHURCH MORE THAN WE WOULD LIKE TO ADMIT v SAYS CONFERENCE PRESIDENT %RIC 'UDMUNDSSON h! CONCERTED EFFORT IN RESISTING THIS DEVELOPMENT BY PROMOTING SPIRITUAL REVIVAL AND #HRISTLIKENESS AMONG MEMBERSˆYOUNG AND OLDˆIS THUS OF UTMOST URGENCY 4HUS THE CREATION OF THIS DEPARTMENT v
"Y 'AVIN !NTHONY
FUNDAMENTAL TO 'OD S PLANS FOR WE HAVE BEEN hPREDESTINED TO BE CONFORMED TO THE LIKENESS OF HIS 3ONv VS
3ECOND 0AUL IDENTIlES THE MAGNIlCENT CONSEQUENCES OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION THAT WE hARE BEING TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS WITH EVER INCREASING GLORYv #OR 4HIRD 0AUL IDENTIlES HIS OWN PASSION FOR THIS WORK BEING hAGAIN IN THE PAINS OF CHILDBIRTH UNTIL #HRIST IS /UR -ODEL FORMED IN YOUv 'AL 4HE )CELAND #ONFERENCE IS BUILDING ITS DISCIPLESHIP 7HILE SPIRITUAL FORMATION EXPLAINS THE hWHATv OF MODEL AROUND SPIRITUAL FORMATION A TERM THAT IDENTIlES THE FOCUS OF DISCIPLESHIPˆTHE PRACTICAL AND SPIRITUAL RE FORMING DISCIPLESHIP THE PARABLE OF THE VINE IN *OHN SHOWS US hHOW v *ESUS TELLS (IS DISCIPLES THEY WILL BECOME FRUITFUL OF BROKEN HUMAN HEARTS BACK INTO THE IMAGE OF *ESUS ONLY ONCE THEY HAVE LEARNED HOW TO hREMAINv IN (IM )N 2OMANS 0AUL EXPLAINS THE SIGNIlCANCE OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION &IRST HE IDENTIlES SPIRITUAL FORMATION AS 7HY 3PIRITUAL &ORMATION )S )MPORTANT TO !DVENTISTS
'AVIN !NTHONY IS DIRECTOR OF 9OUTH AND $ISCIPLESHIP FOR THE )CELAND #ONFERENCE
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
"EING SPIRITUALLY RE FORMED BY ALLOWING THE NATURE OF THE 6INE TO mOW INTO US IS NOT ONLY FOUNDATIONAL TO #HRISTIAN LIFE BUT ALSO IS AT THE HEART OF THE CHURCH S PROPHETIC CALLING ,ET ME EXPLAIN 3PIRITUAL FORMATION CALLS FOR US TO LIVE AN ATTRACTIVE #HRISTIAN COUNTERCULTURE
4HROUGHOUT HISTORY PEOPLE SUCH AS .OAH %LIJAH AND *OHN THE "APTIST HAVE CALLED PEOPLE TO STOP COMPROMISING WITH A CULTURE ANTAGONISTIC TO 'OD AND TO LIVE THE MORALS VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM OF #HRIST 4HE lNAL CALL TO hCOME OUTv FROM A CULTURE THAT IS DECADENT AND PERVERSE UNDER THE POWER OF THE LATTER RAIN COMES IN 2EVELATION 7HILE FOCUSING ON IMPORTANT DOCTRINAL ISSUES BECAUSE THIS CALL IS BUILT ON EARLIER CALLS IT ASSUMES A CALL TO hCOME INTOvˆINTO A COMMUNITY IN WHICH 'OD S CHARACTER IS BEING REmECTED IN REAL LIFE )N 7ESTERN %UROPE TODAY WE LIVE INSIDE A POST #HRISTIAN CULTURE IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE HURTING WITHOUT 'OD 3O TO FOSTER A COUNTERCULTURE IN WHICH PEOPLE ARE BEING AUTHENTICALLY RE FORMED INTO THE IMAGE OF #HRIST IS BOTH EVANGELISTICALLY COMPELLING AND A FULlLLMENT OF OUR SPECIAL COMMISSION 3PIRITUAL FORMATION PROVIDES THE INSPIRATION FOR INTERGENERATIONAL COMMUNITY BASED REVIVAL 3PIRITUAL FORMATION ISN T INTENDED TO BE DONE ALONE "ECAUSE OF THE FRACTURING OF OUR SOCIETY HOWEVER IT OFTEN IS 4HAT S WHY 0AUL EMPHASIZES THAT IT IS IN THE COMMUNITY OF THE BODY WE hBECOME MATURE ATTAINING TO THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF #HRISTv %PH "ECAUSE OUR CULTURE ACHES FOR WHOLENESS RESTORING THE SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY OF THE FAMILY ADDRESSES A DESPERATE NEED 3PIRITUAL FORMATION WITHIN THE FAMILY ENABLES IT TO BECOME A BEACON OF SPIRITUAL INTEGRITY THAT PREPARES THE lNAL WAY FOR OUR ,ORD 3PIRITUAL FORMATION IS OF NATIONAL SIGNIlCANCE /UR !DVENTIST COMBINATION OF THEOLOGY MORALITY AND ETHICS HAS ALWAYS BEEN UNIQUE BUT WITH THE FALLING APART OF OUR CULTURE S MORAL FABRIC IT INCREASINGLY APPEARS TO BE SO 3O WHO WILL CALL THE PEOPLE IN THE REMOTE VILLAGES AND FJORDS OF )CELAND TO LIVE INSIDE 'OD S KINGDOM AS 'OD HAS DElNED IT 7ITHIN A FEW YEARS OF ARRIVING /ESTLUND SEE SIDEBAR WAS PRODUCING A CHURCH PAPER THAT FOR A TIME HAD THE
4HE
WIDEST CIRCULATION OF ANY PAPER IN )CELAND )N THE SAME SPIRIT WE ARE DEVELOPING NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR EVERY )CELANDERˆWHEREVER THEY LIVE AND NO MATTER WHAT AGEˆTO BECOME PART OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION COMMUNITIES /UR MISSION DEMANDS THAT WE BE ACCOUNTABLE NOT JUST TO OUR CHURCHES BUT TO OUR NATION 4HE %VANGELISTIC 2ESULT
"UILDING SPIRITUAL FORMATION COMMUNITIES IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT INTENTIONALLY REACHING OUT TO OUR NEIGHBORS WITH AN INVITATION TO EXPERIENCE A QUALITY OF LIFE THAT CAN BE FOUND NOWHERE ELSE 7E WANT TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE WITHIN OUR CHURCHES BUT OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO BE A LIGHT WITHIN OUR NATION 7E ARE WORKING ON PLANS TO PROVIDE ONLINE TEACHING AND CREATE VIRTUAL DISCIPLESHIP COMMUNITIES FOR PEOPLE IN FAR mUNG AREAS 7E ARE ALSO WORKING TO PERSONALLY REACH EVERY HOME IN )CELAND WITH A DISCIPLESHIP MAGAZINE AND $6$ THAT WILL HELP US BEGIN TO BUILD CONTACT IN AREAS WHERE NO !DVENTIST MEMBERS CURRENTLY LIVE )NDEED WITH A CURRICULUM WRITTEN SPECIlCALLY FOR )CELAND WE ARE ALREADY SEEING INDICATIONS OF INTEREST IN OUR MATERIAL FROM OTHER #HRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS AS WELL (ONORING 'OD
%LLEN ' 7HITE SUMMARIZES OUR VISION h4HE GREATEST WORK THAT CAN BE DONE IN OUR WORLD IS TO GLORIFY 'OD BY LIVING THE CHARACTER OF #HRISTv 4ESTIMONIES FOR THE #HURCH VOL P !S WE CONTINUE THE GREATEST JOURNEY HUMAN BEINGS CAN TAKEˆOF BEING hCONFORMED TO THE LIKENESS OF HIS 3ONvˆ'OD IS HONORED AS IN NO OTHER WAY 4O LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL FORMATION WORK IN THE )CELAND #ONFERENCE GO TO WWW REmECTING*ESUS ORG
!LL 3CRIPTURES QUOTED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE FROM THE .)6
"EG NN NGS OF !DVENT SM IN )N THE $ENMARK #ONFERENCE SENT $AVID /ESTLUND AS THE lRST !DVENTIST MISSIONARY TO )CELAND AN ISLAND LOCATED BETWEEN THE 'REENLAND 3EA AND THE .ORTH !TLANTIC /CEAN WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT SQUARE KILOMETERS SQUARE MILES /N THE VOYAGE FROM #OPENHAGEN RELIGIOUS DISCUSSIONS BEGAN !S THE DEBATE INTENSIlED AN )CELANDER WALKED FORWARD AND BEGAN SUPPORTING /ESTLUND AS HE
)CELAND "9 '!6). !.4(/.9
ARGUED FOR THE SEVENTH DAY 3ABBATH AND BAPTISM /ESTLUND ASKED THE MAN AFTERWARD IF HE WAS A 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST h9ES x IT SO HAPPENS THAT WE READ 4HE 'REAT #ONTROVERSY AND BEGAN TO KEEP THE ,ORD S 3ABBATH HOLY WITHOUT HAVING SEEN OR TALKED TO ANY !DVENTISTSx ;7HEN= WE SAW x THAT A MISSIONARY WOULD BE SENT ;TO )CELAND= AND SINCE WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HARD FOR HIM TO WORK ALONE WE
DECIDED LAST SPRING TO SELL OUR SMALL FARM IN !MERICA TO TRAVEL ACROSS AND HELP HIM v
&ROM THIS WORKING OF 'OD S PROVIDENCE THE WORK IN )CELAND MOVED FORWARD 4ODAY OUT OF )CELAND S POPULATION OF JUST APPROXIMATELY !DVENTIST MEMBERS WORSHIP THERE AND HAVE ESTABLISHED ONE CHURCH SCHOOL
"JÚRGVIN 3NORRASON h0ASTOR $AVID /ESTLUND AND THE "EGINNING OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN )CELAND v
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
4HOUSANDS LEARN TO READ THROUGH LITERACY PROGRAM
MPOWE % IN
OMEN 7 N ) "Y ,OREN 3EIBOLD
,EFT TO RIGHT -).)34%2).' !.'%, (EPZIBAH +ORE 7OMEN S -INISTRIES DIRECTOR OF THE 3OUTHERN !SIA $IVISION AND THE LITERACY PROGRAM ORGANIZER ASKS THE ,ORD TO BLESS THE LITERACY PROGRAM 4HE CLASSES HAVE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR TELLING )NDIAN PEOPLE ABOUT *ESUS AND AS A RESULT MANY HAVE ALSO BEEN BAPTIZED ,%!2.).' #)2#,% ,ITERACY CLASSES SPONSORED BY THE !DVENTIST #HURCH S (OPE FOR (UMANITY GREATLY ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AS WELL AS RAISE COMMUNITY RESPECT FOR WOMEN IN )NDIA -ORE THAN LITERACY CLASSES ARE CURRENTLY BEING TAUGHT IN lVE SOUTH )NDIA PROVINCES "ELOW %-0/7%2).' ,)6%3 ,EARNING TO READ EMPOWERS WOMEN TO EARN A LIVING HELP THEIR CHILDREN WITH THEIR HOMEWORK TAKE CARE OF FAMILY lNANCES AND GAIN RESPECT FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY
R NG
DA
"ELOW ,/.').' 4/ ,%!2. " %AGER ADULTSˆMOSTLY WOMENˆ SIT FOR MANY HOURS CROSS LEGGED ON THE mOOR OF THE !DVENTIST CHURCH IN 2EDDIPALEM SO THEY CAN LEARN TO READ
! , , 0 ( / 4 / 3 4 ! + % . " 9 + 5 2 4 & ! 4 4 ) # ( / 0 % & / 2 ( 5 - ! . ) 4 9
# /6 % 2 3 4 / 29
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AM A PASSENGER IN A TAXI WATCHING WITH SOME UNEASINESS THE FRENZY OUTSIDE BUSES TRUCKS BULLOCK CARTS PEDESTRIANS PEDAL RICKSHAWS SCOOTERS THREE WHEEL MINICABSˆALL MIXING AND DODGING APPEARING AT EVERY INSTANT ON THE VERGE OF A COLLISION BARELY AVOIDED .EXT TO MY WINDOW TRAVELING AT OUR SAME PACE IS A SMALL PUTT PUTTING MOTORCYCLE 3IDESADDLE BEHIND THE DRIVER SITS A YOUNG WOMAN (ER SHINY BLACK HAIR IS TIED BACK WITH AN INTERLACING OF WHITE TUBEROSE BLOSSOMS ! PURPLE SARI WITH GOLD THREAD TRIMMING WRAPS ABOUT HER IN THAT mOWING ETHEREAL WAY THAT ONLY )NDIAN WOMEN CAN MANAGE !S THE CYCLE SWERVES AND BUMPS AS BLACK EXHAUST BILLOWS AROUND HER SHE SITS CALMLY UNALARMED HER HANDS IN HER LAP ) AM ASTONISHED AT SUCH POISE IN THAT MAELSTROM OF VEHICLES NOISE AND POLLUTION 4HIS SNAPSHOT OF )NDIA HELPS TO EXPLAIN WHY WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME WHAT ) FOUND MOST IMPRESSIVE MOST MEMORABLE ABOUT )NDIA ) ALWAYS SAY h4HE )NDIAN WOMEN v 4HEY ARE STRONG PURPOSEFUL BEAUTIFUL AND GRACEFUL IN THE MIDST OF POVERTY CORRUPTION INEQUALITY AND A SUFFOCATING CRUSH OF HUMANITY &IRST ,ESSONS
! FEW DAYS LATER ) WAS CROSS LEGGED OR AS CLOSE TO IT AS MY !MERICAN LEGS COULD MANAGE ON A CONCRETE mOOR KNEE TO KNEE WITH ABOUT WOMEN IN AN ORANGE TRIMMED ROOM IN A SMALL CROWDED ALWAYS EVERYWHERE IN )NDIA CROWDED VILLAGE NEAR THE CITY
,OREN 3EIBOLD IS THE SENIOR PASTOR OF THE 7ORTHINGTON /HIO !DVENTIST CHURCH IN THE 5NITED 3TATES
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
OF 4HIRUVANANTHAPURAM ) D BEEN INVITED TO WATCH THEM LEARN TO READ 3URPRISINGLY FOR A COU NTRY FOR TWO CENTURIES UNDER 'REAT "RITAIN S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM PERCENT OF )NDIA S WOMEN ARE ILLITERATE )N THE POORER CLASSES WOMEN ARE BARELY MORE THAN SERVANTS )N SOME PARTS OF RURAL )NDIA A POOR FAMILY S SECOND OR THIRD FEMALE BABY MAY QUIETLY DIE ITS FIRST NIGHT FROM AN EXTRACT OF POISONOUS OLEANDER MIXED INTO ITS MILK 4HE PARENTS SIMPLY SAY h3HE DIDN T LIVE v THOUGH NEIGHBORS KNOW THE TRUTH THE FAMILY COULDN T AFFORD ANOTHER DOWRY THAT HEAVY PAYMENT TO A GROOM S FAMILY THAT MUST ACCOMPANY A GIRL IF SHE WOULD HAVE ANY HOPE OF MARRIAGE )NDIAN PEOPLE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO BEING PACKED CLOSELY TOGETHER )N A COUNTRY WITH A POPULATION DENSITY NEARLY A DOZEN TIMES THAT OF THE 5NITED 3TATES LITTLE CHOICE EXISTS ) USED TO MY 7ESTERN COMFORT ZONE FOUND THE CLASSROOM A BIT CLOSE !ROUND ME THOUGH WAS AN EXUBERANCE TO OFFSET
MY CLAUSTROPHOBIA 7ITH STUBS OF CHALK AND HANDHELD SLATES THE WOMEN PRACTICED THE SWIRLY 4AMIL ALPHABET 4HE INSTRUCTOR WROTE SHORT SENTENCES ON A LARGE BLACKBOARD AS THE CLASS REPEATED CHORALLY AFTER HER AGAIN AND AGAIN 4HEN EACH PRACTICED WRITING THE WORDS ON HER OWN SLATE 4HOUGH THE STUDENTS WERE MOSTLY NON #HRISTIAN THEIR 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST TEACHERS ILLUSTRATED THE LESSONS WITH #HRISTIAN SONGS AND "IBLE TEXTS %VERY FACE WORE A SMILE
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
4OP TO BOTTOM #/.'%34%$ #)4)%3 /VERCROWDED ROADS AND STREETS ARE COMMON THROUGHOUT )NDIA AS DEPICTED IN THIS .EW $ELHI SCENE -%%4).' 4(% -!9/2 (OPE FOR (UMANITY DIRECTOR -AITLAND $I0INTO MIDDLE AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE VISITING GROUP TALK WITH A VILLAGE MAYOR LEFT '%44).' 4/ +./7 4(%- ,OREN 3EIBOLD PASTOR OF THE 7ORTHINGTON /HIO CHURCH IN THE 5NITED 3TATES TALKS TO THE WOMEN ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE LEARNING TO READ MAKES IN THEIR LIVES
"IBLE hh0EOPLE CAN T READ THE "IBLE 0EOPLE CCAN T RREAD TTHE " +ORE UNTIL THEY CAN READ v +ORE UNTIL TTHEY CCAN RREAD v + SSAYS h4HESE CLASSES GIVE THEM AYS hh4HESE CCLASSES GGIVE TTHEM CCONlDENCE AND THEY BEGIN TO SEEK ONlDENCE AAND TTHEY BBEGIN TTO SSEEK NEW MEANINGS FFOR TTHEIR LIVES v NEW MEANINGS FOR THEIR LIVES v ! , , 0 ( / 4 / 3 4 ! + % . " 9 + 5 2 4 & ! 4 4 ) # ( / 0 % & / 2 ( 5 - ! . ) 4 9
) SAT NEXT TO A YOUNG WOMAN WEARING A DEEP RED SARI 4HE CRIMSON BINDI BETWEEN HER EYEBROWS A TRADITIONAL SYMBOL OF INSIGHT HAD BEEN SMUDGED BY THE SQUIRMING LITTLE ONE IN HER ARMS h4HIS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME v SHE SAID WITH A BROAD BRIGHT SMILE h) AM BEGINNING TO READ NEWSPAPERS AND BOOKS ) CAN HELP MY CHILDREN WITH THEIR HOMEWORK -Y HUSBAND IS PROUD OF ME v &OR HER GRADUATION FROM THE PROGRAM SHE RECEIVED THE lRST BOOK SHE HAD EVER BEEN ABLE TO CALL HER OWN A COPY OF THE "IBLE IN 4AMIL
4HE CORNERSTONE OF THE OLD )NGATHERING WAS DOOR TO DOOR SOLICITATION "UT GOING TO PEOPLE S DOORS HAS BECOME UNWELCOME IN SUBURBS AND UNSAFE IN CITIES AND SINCE THE S THE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DOOR TO DOOR SOLICITATION HAVE SHRUNK DRAMATICALLY )T IS NOT A COINCIDENCE INSISTS (OPE FOR (UMANITY DIRECTOR -AITLAND $I0INTO THAT !DVENTIST NAME RECOGNITION IN .ORTH !MERICA FOLLOWED THAT SAME DOWNWARD TRACK 4HAT S WHY (OPE FOR (UMANITY IS TRYING TO OPEN SOME NEW DOORS h7E RE CREATING NEW WAYS TO GET OUR COMMUNITIES INVOLVED IN THE HUMANITARIAN WORK WE DO v $I0INTO (OPE SAYS h7E DON T WANT JUST TO GET 4HE HUMAN ANGEL BEHIND THIS CONTRIBUTIONS 7E WANT TO FORM MINISTRY IS (EPZIBAH +ORE 7OMEN S PARTNERSHIPS v -INISTRIES DIRECTOR OF THE 3OUTHERN !LL OVER .ORTH !MERICA CHURCHES !SIA $IVISION WHO HAS DEDICATED HER AND SCHOOLS AND IN SOME CASES ENTIRE LIFE TO TEACHING )NDIA S WOMEN TO READ CONFERENCES HAVE SIGNED UP TO BECOME &ROM THE HUMBLEST FARMING VILLAGES PARTNERS IN ONE OF (OPE FOR (UMANITY S TO PROSTITUTES IN THE +OLKATA FORMERLY SEVERAL PROJECTS )N THE 2EPUBLIC OF CALLED #ALCUTTA SLUMS +ORE BELIEVES 3OUTH !FRICA AND THE +INGDOM OF THAT WHEN WOMEN ARE ABLE TO READ ,ESOTHOˆIN WHICH HALF OF ALL THE !)$3 THEIR LIVES WILL BE TRANSFORMED 3HE CASES IN THE WORLD EXISTˆMAJOR (OPE TRAVELS THOUSANDS OF KILOMETERS EVERY FOR (UMANITY INITIATIVES ARE TACKLING YEAR TO VISIT HER MORE THAN LITERACY THE PROBLEM OF ()6 AND !)$3 3EE CLASSES AT lVE SITES 4AMIL .ADU !NDHRA COVER ARTICLE TITLED h! 0LACE OF (OPEv 0RADESH /RISSA 7EST "ENGAL AND IN THE .OVEMBER !DVENTIST 'ARO (ILLS !T EACH SITE +ORE lRST TRAINS 7ORLD !ND IN BOTH )NDIA AND #ENTRAL TEACHERS PROVIDES TEACHING MATERIALS !MERICA (OPE FOR (UMANITY IS HELPING THEN HELPS THE CLASSES TAKE SHAPE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST TEACHERS TEACH h0EOPLE CAN T READ THE "IBLE UNTIL WOMEN TO READ THEY CAN READ v +ORE SAYS h4HESE CLASSES GIVE THEM CONlDENCE AND #HANGED ,IVES THEY BEGIN TO SEEK NEW MEANINGS !S WE STEPPED FROM OUR AIR FOR THEIR LIVES v CONDITIONED COACH IN THE VILLAGE OF 4HAT S WHY THE READING CLASSES 2EDDIPALEM IN !NDHRA 0RADESH )NDIA AREN T THE END OF THE STORY THE ) FELT ) D STEPPED BACK IN TIME 0EOPLE GRADUATES ARE INVITED TO PRACTICE THEIR HERE LIVE IN TRADITIONAL PALM THATCHED READING IN FOLLOW UP "IBLE STUDY HUTS .EXT TO THE DIMINUTIVE CONCRETE CLASSES CHURCH A MAN WEARING ONLY A LUNGI ,ITERACY FOR )NDIA S WOMEN IS ONE TUCKED UP FOR WORK RELAXED WITH HIS OF THE NEW FACES OF THE PROGRAM MANY DOCILE STILL DRIPPING WATER BUFFALO OF US USED TO KNOW AS )NGATHERING 4HIS TINY RURAL VILLAGE IS LOCATED ONLY A 4ODAY THE PROGRAM IS CALLED (OPE FOR FEW KILOMETERS FROM THE )NDIAN /CEAN (UMANITY THOUGH THE NEW NAME IS NOT h4HE WATER FROM THE TSUNAMI ALMOST REACHED OUR VILLAGE v YET FAMILIAR EVEN TO MANY !DVENTISTS
THE VILLAGE PRESIDENT TOLD US )NSIDE THE CHURCH ) MARVELED AGAIN AT )NDIANS ABILITY TO GET COMFORTABLE ON HARD mOORS IN CLOSE QUARTERS !CROSS FROM ME A YOUNG WOMAN IN AN ORANGE SARI WROTE 4ELUGU LETTERS ON HER SLATE 3HE LINED THE WORDS WITH A lNGER SUGGESTING ) REPEAT THEM AFTER HER ) D NO IDEA WHAT ) WAS SAYING THOUGH GENERAL LAUGHTER SHOWED MY ATTEMPTS WERE ENTERTAINING /NE IN MY GROUP WAS ELDERLYˆ THIN IN HAIR TEETH AND BODY (ER BROW FURROWED AND HER HAND TREMBLED AS SHE FORMED A FEW LETTERS ON THE SLATE h7HAT KEPT YOU FROM LEARNING TO READ WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG v ) ASKED HER THROUGH A TRANSLATOR h-Y FAMILY WAS POOR v SHE SAID h) MARRIED AT .O ONE THOUGHT A GIRL NEEDED EDUCATION v h(OW HAS THIS CLASS HELPED YOU v ) CONTINUED (ER FACE BRIGHTENED h)T HAS CHANGED MY LIFE v SHE SAID )NDEED ) THOUGHT LEARNING TO READ WOULD DO THAT "UT HER AWKWARDNESS WITH THE CHALK MADE ME WONDER h7HAT HAVE YOU LEARNED v ) ASKED h4O READ THE SIGN ON THE FRONT OF THE BUS v SHE SAID PLEASED WITH HERSELF h) CAN GO PLACES ALONE AND NOT GET LOST v 4OO OLD TO BECOME A mUENT READER SHE D LEARNED ENOUGH TO READ THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT MARQUEE TO SIGN HER OWN NAME AND TO COUNT HER MONEY SO SHE S NOT SHORTCHANGED IN THE MARKET 4HOSE FEW ACCOMPLISHMENTS TRANSFORMED HER LIFE 3O LATE IN HER LIFE HAS COME THIS BOOST TO HER SELF ESTEEM h-Y HUSBAND AND CHILDREN RESPECT ME NOW v SHE SAID h) AM A MORE VALUABLE WIFE AND MOTHER v ) NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A "IBLE UNDER HER SLATE h$O YOU READ THIS BOOK v ) ASKED h)T IS HARD v SHE ANSWERED hBUT ) WANT TO LEARN v 7ITH 'OD S HELP AND OURS ) BELIEVE SHE WILL &OR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT (OPE FOR (UMANITY AND ITS PROGRAMS GO TO WWW HOPE COM
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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ORE BETTER HIGHER FASTERˆTHAT S THE MOTTO OF OUR TIMES -ORE MONEY MORE VACATION MORE LUXURY (AVE YOU SEEN HOW IN SOME FRONT YARDS THE #HRISTMAS DECORATIONS GROW MORE ELABORATE FROM YEAR TO YEAR 7E NEED MORE GIFTS BETTER GIFTS FASTER TOOLS h-ORE BETTER FASTERv MAY SOMETIMES BE NECESSARY TO KEEP US GOAL ORIENTED /N THE OTHER HAND HOWEVER IT CAN AMOUNT TO A RAT RACE !ND THERE S ANOTHER DANGER !T ONE POINT OR ANOTHERˆIF WE RE SUCCESSFULˆWE MAY FEEL SUPERIOR TO OTHERS BECOMING ARROGANT AND PROUD )T REMINDS ME OF THE CLEVER SALESMAN WHO WOULD CLOSE HIS SALES PITCH WITH THIS LINE h,ET ME SHOW YOU SOMETHING SEVERAL OF YOUR NEIGHBORS SAID YOU COULDN T AFFORD v
) HEARD THE STORY ABOUT TWO DUCKS AND A FROG LIVING HAPPILY TOGETHER IN A FARM POND 4HE BEST OF FRIENDS THE THREE WOULD AMUSE THEMSELVES AND PLAY TOGETHER IN THEIR WATERHOLE 7HEN THE HOT SUMMER DAYS CAME HOWEVER THE POND BEGAN TO DRY UP AND SOON IT WAS EVIDENT THEY WOULD HAVE TO MOVE 4HIS WAS NO PROBLEM FOR THE DUCKS BUT THE FROG WAS STUCK 4O HELP HIM THEY CAME UP WITH AN INGENIOUS SCHEME 4HEY WOULD GRAB HOLD OF THE TWO ENDS OF A STICK WITH THEIR BILLS AND THE FROG COULD HANG ON IN THE MIDDLE BY THE MOUTH AS THEY mEW AWAY TO ANOTHER POND 4HE PLAN WORKED BUT AS THEY mEW ALONG A FARMER LOOKED UP IN ADMIRATION AND MUSED h7ELL ISN T THAT A CLEVER IDEA ) WONDER WHO THOUGHT OF IT v 4HE FROG OPENED HIS MOUTH AND SAID h) DIDx v !ND THE TRAGIC RESULT FOLLOWED 7E RE ALL INTO EGO TRIPS AND SELlSH EXALTATION BUT THERE S ONLY /NE WHO IS SUPERIOR !ND THAT S THE ISSUE ADDRESSED BY THE BOOK OF (EBREWS THE ISSUE OF SUPERIORITY (ERE WE lND THAT THE GOOD HAS BEEN SURPASSED BY THE BETTER !ND THE BETTER HAS A NAME *ESUS OUR ,ORD
)N (EBREWS *ESUS IS PORTRAYED AS FAR SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS (EBREWS PRESENTS *ESUS AS SUPERIOR TO -OSES ONE OF THE GREATEST LEADERS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF ALL TIMES AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PROPHETS WHO ENJOYED PRIVILEGES NO OTHER HUMAN HAS EVER KNOWNˆFACE TO FACE
%KKEHARDT -UELLER IS AN ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE "IBLICAL 2ESEARCH )NSTITUTE OF THE 'EN ERAL #ONFERENCE IN 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND 5 3 !
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
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4HE 3UPERIORITY OF *ESUS
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2EmECTIONS ON THE SUPERIORITY OF *ESUS ENCOUNTERS WITH 'OD )N (EBREWS *ESUS SURPASSES *OSHUA !ND IN CHAPTER (E STANDS ABOVE !ARON )N (EBREWS -ELCHIZEDEK KING OF 3ALEM AND PRIEST OF 'OD -OST (IGH AND A SYMBOL OF *ESUS IS SHOWN TO BE GREATER THAN !BRAHAM 7HICH PUTS THE PRIESTHOOD ACCORDING TO HIS ORDER #HRIST S PRIESTHOOD ABOVE THE ,EVITICAL *ESUS IS THE TRUE HIGH PRIESTˆhHOLY INNOCENT UNDElLED SEPARATED FROM SINNERS EXALTED ABOVE THE HEAVENSv .!3"
*ESUSˆMORE EXALTED BETTER HIGHER !CCORDING TO (EBREWS THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY REQUIRES FOR ITS PURIlCATION hBETTER SACRIlCESv THAN THE BLOOD OF CALVES AND GOATS )T CALLED FOR THE 3ON S UNIQUE ONCE FOR ALL SACRIlCE (IS hSPRINKLED BLOOD x SPEAKS MORE ELOQUENTLY THAN THAT OF !BELv (IS SACRIlCE THE ONLY EFlCACIOUS OFFERING SURPASSES ALL OTHERS (E IS THE !UTHOR OF OUR SALVATION 7HY (E )S 3UPERIOR
4HE AUTHOR OF (EBREWS PRESENTS *ESUS AS SUPERIOR FOR THREE BASIC REASONS "ECAUSE OF (IS STATUS *ESUS IS BETTER HIGHER MORE EXALTED BECAUSE (E IS THE 3ON THE #REATOR THE 3USTAINER THE ONLY LEGITIMATE 0RIEST +ING "ECAUSE OF (IS MINISTRY IN THE PAST )N OTHER WORDS (E IS SUPERIOR BECAUSE (E HUMBLED (IMSELF BECAME HUMAN LIVED AMONG US SUFFERED AND DIED FOR USˆAND ALL WITHOUT SIN (EBREWS SPENDS ALMOST AN ENTIRE CHAPTER ON (IS INCARNATION ON (IS HUMILIATION )T S A TRUTH WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND AT ALL TIMES ALLOWING OUR ,ORD TO DEEPEN OUR LOVE FOR (IM "ECAUSE OF WHAT (E IS DOING FOR US TODAY AND WILL BE DOING IN THE FUTURE (E REDEEMED US AND THROUGH (IM WE HAVE ACCESS TO 'OD S THRONE WITH FULL CONlDENCE .OBODY ELSE AND NOTHING ELSE CAN SAVE US /NLY *ESUS #HRIST CAN (E IS UNIQUE AND WE AS (IS FOLLOWERS MUST PROCLAIM THAT UNIQUENESS NOT KEEPING IT HIDDEN FOR THE
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BETTER HOPE BETTER PROMISES A BETTER CLEANSING A BETTER POSSESSION A BETTER HOMELAND AND lNALLY A BETTER RESURRECTION (E HAS PREPARED hSOMETHING BETTER FOR USv .!3" )T S INTERESTING TO NOTICE THAT MOST OF THE RESULTS OF *ESUS SUPERIORITY SEEM TO BE ORIENTED TOWARD THE FUTURE /UR LIFE HERE IS THE PRELUDE TO THE LIFE TO COME 9ET THIS PRELUDE IS IMPORTANT FOR IT PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH *ESUS #HRIST "UT (IS hBETTER PROMISESv AND hBETTER COVENANTv AFFECT US ALREADY HERE AND NOW )T S IN THIS LIFE THAT WE MAY HAVE THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION )T S NOW THAT THE ,ORD PUTS (IS LAW INTO OUR MINDS )T S NOW THAT (E GIVES US THE DESIRE TO KEEP IT AND TO OBEY AND LOVE (IM *ESUS GIVES MEANING TO OUR LIFE TODAY AND (E PROVIDES A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR US #HRIST S 3UPERIORITY AND 5S
*ESUS IS UNIQUE AND WE AS (IS FOLLOWERS MUST PROCLAIM THAT UNIQUENESS NOT KEEPING IT HIDDEN FOR THE SAKE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS SAKE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS 4HERE IS NO QUESTION OF COURSE THAT WE SHOULD BE COURTEOUS POLITE AND LOVING TO ADHERENTS OF OTHER WORLD RELIGIONS "UT WITH 0AUL hWE ;MUST= PREACH #HRIST CRUCIlED TO *EWS A STUMBLING BLOCK AND TO 'ENTILES FOOLISHNESSv #OR .!3" *ESUS IS GREATER AND WORTHY OF MORE GLORY BECAUSE (E BECAME ONE WITH US SYMPATHIZES WITH US HELPS US INTERVENES FOR US AND BECAUSE OF (IS PROMISE TO BRING ABOUT THE END OF THE AGE WITH (IS KINGDOM OF GLORY
(OW ARE WE AFFECTED BY *ESUS SUPERIORITY )T CALLS UPON US TO HONOR *ESUS AS THE /NE TO WHOM SUPREME GLORY AND HONOR BELONGS NOT JUST DURING THE #HRISTMAS SEASON BUT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR $AILY WE MEDITATE UPON AND READ ABOUT (IM OPENING OUR HEARTS IN PRAYER TO (IM RELYING ON (IM 7E OBEY (IS COMMANDMENTS AND BY (IS GRACE LIVE BY THE PRINCIPLES THAT GOVERNED (IS LIFE HERE ON EARTH 7E JOIN THE HEAVENLY HOST WORSHIPPING (IM AND BOWING DOWN BEFORE (IM )T CALLS US TO GIVE UP ALL PRIDE AND SELF RELIANCE )N HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY "ENJAMIN &RANKLIN CORRECTLY DECLARED h4HERE IS PERHAPS NOT ONE OF OUR NATURAL PASSIONS SO HARD TO SUBDUE AS PRIDEx "EAT IT DOWN STImE IT MORTIFY IT AS MUCH AS ONE PLEASES IT IS STILL ALIVEx %VEN IF ) COULD CONCEIVE THAT ) HAD COMPLETELY OVERCOME IT ) SHOULD PROBABLY BE PROUD OF MY HUMILITY v 0RIDE WAS NOT FOUND IN *ESUS .EITHER SHOULD IT BE IN (IS FOLLOWERS !FTER ALL WHATEVER WE ARE AND HAVE IS 'OD S GIFT AND NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF )F WE WANT TO BOAST THEN LET US BOAST IN OUR ,ORD *ESUS #HRIST )T CALLS US TO RENEW OUR DECISION FOR THIS WONDERFUL ,ORD AND EXPECT EVERYTHING FROM (IM 4HE HEROES OF FAITH IN (EBREWS ALL TELL US TO CHOOSE #HRIST AND TO NEVER GIVE UP ON (IM -ORE BETTER HIGHER 9ES AS FOUND IN *ESUS #HRIST !ND YES AS FOUND IN THOSE WHO AFTER HAVING BEEN SAVED FOLLOW (IM MORE CLOSELY SERVE (IM AND OTHERS BETTER AND BETTER AND WHO ARE DRAWN HIGHER AND HIGHER FORGETTING THEMSELVES AND FOCUSING ON THEIR MOST EXCELLENT ,ORDˆ DURING ALL TIMES AND SEASONS
2ESULTS OF *ESUS 3UPERIOR -INISTRY
)N THE WORDS OF (EBREWS THE RESULTS OF *ESUS SUPERIOR MINISTRY FOR US INCLUDE A BETTER COVENANT A
3CRIPTURE QUOTATIONS MARKED .!3" ARE FROM THE .EW !MERICAN 3TANDARD "IBLE COPYRIGHT Ú BY 4HE ,OCKMAN &OUNDATION 5SED BY PERMISSION
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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UR lDELITY TO #HRISTIAN PRINCIPLES CALLS US TO ACTIVE SERVICE FOR 'OD 4HOSE WHO DO NOT USE THEIR TALENTS IN THE CAUSE AND WORK OF 'OD WILL HAVE NO PART WITH *ESUS IN (IS GLORY ,IGHT IS TO SHINE FORTH FROM EVERY SOUL THAT IS A RECIPIENT OF THE GRACE OF 'OD 4HERE ARE MANY SOULS IN DARKNESS BUT WHAT REST AND EASE AND QUIETUDE MANY FEEL IN THIS MATTER x ;)=T IS ENJOINED UPON ALL TRUE FOLLOWERS OF #HRIST TO BE A LIGHT TO THE WORLD 'OD HAS DONE HIS PART IN THE GREAT WORK AND IS WAITING FOR THE CO OPERATION OF HIS FOLLOWERS 4HE PLAN OF SALVATION IS FULLY DEVELOPED 4HE BLOOD OF *ESUS #HRIST IS OFFERED FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD THE WORD OF 'OD IS SPEAKING TO MAN IN COUNSELS IN REPROOFS IN WARNINGS IN PROMISES AND IN ENCOURAGEMENT AND THE EFlCACY OF THE (OLY 3PIRIT IS EXTENDED TO HELP HIM IN ALL HIS EFFORTS "UT WITH ALL THIS LIGHT THE WORLD IS STILL PERISHING IN DARKNESS BURIED IN ERROR AND SIN 7HO WILL BE LABORERS TOGETHER WITH 'OD TO WIN THESE SOULS TO THE TRUTH 7HO WILL BEAR TO THEM THE GOOD TIDINGS OF SALVATION 4HE PEOPLE WHOM 'OD HAS BLESSED WITH LIGHT AND TRUTH ARE TO BE THE MESSENGERS OF MERCY 4HEIR MEANS ARE TO mOW INTO THE DIVINE CHANNEL 4HEIR EARNEST EFFORTS ARE TO BE PUT FORTH 4HEY ARE TO BECOME LABORERS TOGETHER WITH 'OD SELF DENYING SELF SACRIlCING LIKE *ESUS WHO FOR OUR SAKES BECAME POOR THAT WE THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BE MADE RICH
0ARTNERS 7ITH (EAVEN
$IVINE AND HUMAN AGENCIES ARE COMBINED IN THE WORK OF SAVING SOULS
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
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'OD HAS DONE HIS PART AND #HRISTIAN ACTIVITY IS NEEDED NOW 'OD x EXPECTS HIS PEOPLE TO BEAR A PART IN PRESENTING THE LIGHT OF TRUTH TO ALL NATIONS 7HO WILL ENTER INTO THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ,ORD *ESUS #HRIST (E WILL PRESCRIBE THE TERMS HE WILL MAKE ALL THE CONDITIONS (AS 'OD ENLIGHTENED YOU WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF (IMSELF (AVE THE TREASURES OF (IS 7ORD BEEN OPENED TO YOUR UNDERSTANDING SO THAT YOU HAVE BECOME INTELLIGENT IN REGARD TO THE TRUTHS THEREIN 4HEN GO TO WORK WITH YOUR ABILITY
)F YOU ARE ONLY HUMBLE PURE IN HEART SINGLE IN PURPOSE YOU WILL SEE THE NEEDS AND WANTS OF 'OD S CAUSEx 7HERE THERE IS ONE LABORER THERE OUGHT TO BE HUNDREDS RECEIVING EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF 'OD AND GIVING IT TO THE PEOPLE AS THEY CAN BEAR IT ! HUNDRED FOLD MORE MIGHT HAVE BEEN DONE THAN HAS BEEN DONE ! WORLDLY SPIRIT HAS PREVAILED AMONG THE PROFESSED SERVANTS OF 'OD AND THE SOULS OF MEN HAVE NOT BEEN COUNTED OF HALF AS MUCH VALUE AS THEIR CATTLE THEIR FARMS AND THEIR BUSINESS
ORD 7 AND EED $
$ILIGENCE IN SPREADING THE GOSPEL IS OUR HIGHEST CALLING
'OD WILL HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS TERRIBLE NEGLECT IN THE PAST BUT WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO IN THE FUTURE 7ILL THEY COME INTO CO OPERATION WITH OUR GREAT "ENEFACTOR 7ILL THEY AS MEN WHO HAVE HAD THE LIGHT OF TRUTH LET THAT LIGHT SHINE FORTH TO THOSE IN DARKNESS 'OD HAS HONORED THEM WITH THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING CO LABORERS WITH #HRIST IN THE GREAT HARVEST lELD 7ILL THEY THANKFULLY HEARTILY RECEIVE ALL THE ADVANTAGES 'OD HAS PROVIDED AND DILIGENTLY IMPROVE THEM BY EXERCISE USING EVERY ABILITY AND EVERY SACRED TRUST IN THE SERVICE OF THE -ASTER 4HEIR SUCCESS IN ADVANCEMENT IN THE DIVINE LIFE DEPENDS UPON THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE TALENTS LENT THEM 4HEIR FUTURE REWARD WILL BE PROPORTIONED TO THE INTEGRITY AND EARNESTNESS WITH WHICH THEY SERVE THE -ASTER !LL THE ENTERPRISES IN TEMPORAL EARTHLY THINGS PROSPER IN PROPORTION TO THE WISDOM TACT AND CONCENTRATION OF POWERS EXERCISED IN ACQUIRING THE DESIRED OBJECT *UST SO MUST IT BE IN OUR #HRISTIAN ENTERPRISES 7E MUST WORK ACCORDING TO 'OD S 7ORD 4HERE MUST BE WISE PLANNING 4HERE MUST BE SELECTION OF MEN AND GIFTS APPROPRIATE FOR THE VARIOUS BRANCHES OF THE WORK
'OD S 7ORD MUST BE OUR GUIDE AS TO THE CONDITIONS THAT ARE SPECIlED BY WHICH WE MAY BECOME LABORERS TOGETHER WITH #HRIST 4HE DESIRE TO ACCUMULATE WEALTH IS AN ORIGINAL AFFECTION OF OUR NATURE IMPLANTED THERE BY OUR (EAVENLY &ATHER FOR NOBLE ENDS 7HERE THE (EART )S
)F YOU ASK THE CAPITALIST WHO HAS DIRECTED ALL HIS ENERGIES TO THE ONE OBJECT OF SECURING WEALTH AND WHO IS PERSEVERING AND INDUSTRIOUS TO ADD TO HIS PROPERTY WITH WHAT DESIGN HE THUS LABORS HE COULD NOT GIVE YOU A REASON FOR THIS A DElNITE PURPOSE FOR WHICH HE IS GAINING EARTHLY TREASURES AND HEAPING UP RICHES (E CANNOT DElNE ANY GREAT AIM OR PURPOSE HE HAS IN VIEW OR ANY NEW SOURCE OF HAPPINESS HE EXPECTS TO ATTAIN (E GOES ON ACCUMULATING BECAUSE HE HAS TURNED ALL HIS ABILITIES AND ALL HIS POWERS IN THIS DIRECTION 4HERE IS WITHIN THE WORLDLY MAN A CRAVING FOR SOMETHING THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE (E HAS FROM FORCE OF HABIT BENT EVERY THOUGHT EVERY PURPOSE IN THE DIRECTION OF MAKING PROVISION FOR THE FUTURE AND AS HE GROWS OLDER HE BECOMES MORE EAGER THAN EVER TO ACQUIRE ALL THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO GAINx
!LL THIS ENERGY THIS PERSEVERANCE THIS DETERMINATION THIS INDUSTRY AFTER EARTHLY POWER IS THE RESULT OF THE PERVERSION OF HIS POWERS TO A WRONG OBJECT %VERY FACULTY MIGHT HAVE BEEN CULTIVATED TO THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE ELEVATION BY EXERCISE FOR THE HEAVENLY IMMORTAL LIFE AND FOR THE FAR MORE EXCEEDING AND ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY 4HE CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES OF THE WORLDLY MAN IN HIS PERSEVERANCE AND HIS ENERGIES AND IN AVAILING HIMSELF OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO ADD TO HIS STORE SHOULD BE A LESSON TO THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE CHILDREN OF 'OD SEEKING FOR GLORY HONOR AND IMMORTALITY 4HE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD ARE WISER IN THEIR GENERATION THAN THE CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT AND HEREIN IS SEEN THEIR WISDOM 4HEIR OBJECT IS FOR EARTHLY GAIN AND TO THIS END THEY DIRECT ALL THEIR ENERGIES /H THAT THIS ZEAL WOULD CHARACTERIZE THE TOILER FOR HEAVENLY RICHES
4HIS EXCERPT IS FROM AN ARTICLE WRITTEN FROM "ASEL 3WITZERLAND THAT lRST APPEARED YEARS AGO IN THE !DVENT 2EVIEW AND 3AB BATH (ERALD NOW THE !DVENTIST 2EVIEW WWW ADVENTISTREVIEW ORG 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS BELIEVE %LLEN ' 7HITE EXER CISED THE BIBLICAL GIFT OF PROPHECY DURING MORE THAN YEARS OF PUBLIC MINISTRY
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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4HE GLOBAL FAITH COMMUNITY OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS NOW EMBRACES LITERALLY MILLIONS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN MORE THAN COUNTRIES ALMOST ALL OF THEM SERVED BY THE 3ABBATH SCHOOL MINISTRY AND AN ARRAY OF AGE APPROPRIATE JOURNALS (ERE FROM THE PEN OF ONE OF THE CHURCH S BEST KNOWN HISTORIANS IS THE STORY OF HOW THAT MINISTRY BEGAN ˆ%DITORS
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T WAS THE SUMMER OF SIX YEARS AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE THIRD ANGEL S MESSAGE 4HE HEADQUARTERS IF HEADQUARTERS THEY COULD BE CALLED WERE IN A HIRED HOUSE IN 2OCHESTER .EW 9ORK ;5 3 ! = THE NUMBER OF lELD WORKERS WAS THREE #HOLERA WAS RAGING IN THE CITY AND THROUGH THE NIGHT THE RUMBLING OF THE DEATH CARRIAGES OMINOUSLY SPOKE THE DOOM OF THE LIVING &EAR SAT UPON THE PEOPLE *AMES AND %LLEN 7HITE HAD APPOINTMENTS OUT FROM 2OCHESTER TO "ANGOR -AINE TRAVELING BY HORSE AND BUGGY "UT THEIR YOUNGER CHILD %DSON THREE YEARS OLD WAS STRICKEN WITH THE CHOLERA (OW COULD THEY LEAVE 7ITH BRETHREN AND SISTERS THEY TOOK HIM TO THE ,ORD AND THE DISEASE WAS STAYED BUT HE REMAINED WEAK AND UNRESPONSIVE 4HEY COULD NOT ABANDON HIM YET THUS MUST GO 0LACING HIM UPON A PILLOW ONE AFTERNOON AT FOUR O CLOCK HIS MOTHER RODE FOR TWENTY MILES HIS FATHER DRIVING BEFORE THEY HALTED FOR THE NIGHT h)F YOU GO ON v SAID THEIR HOSTS hYOU LL BURY THAT CHILD BY THE ROADSIDE v 9ET THEY WENT ON A HUNDRED MILES IN TWO DAYS THE MOTHER EXHAUSTED AND SLEEPING MUCH OF THE WAY WITH HER CHILD TIED TO HER WAIST BY A CORD LEST HE FALL ,ITTLE %DSON REVIVED AND CONTINUALLY IMPROVED AS THE PARENTS lLLED THEIR APPOINTMENTS BEGINNING IN 6ERMONT 7AS IT THE SIGHT OF HIS SICK CHILD THAT STIRRED *AMES 7HITE S MIND TO A NEED IN THE INFANT CAUSE 7AS IT THE VOICE OF THE -ASTER THAT CALLED TO HIM AS HE DROVE SILENTLY PRAYING WHILE HE LOOKED UPON HIS SLEEPING WIFE AND BABE h3UFFER LITTLE CHILDREN AND FORBID THEM NOT TO COME UNTO ME FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVENv 4HERE WERE OTHER BABES AND OTHER CHILDREN OF THE BELIEVERS FEW HUNDREDS THOUGH THEY WERE WHO WERE LANGUISHING NOT FROM DISEASE BUT FROM SPIRITUAL NEGLECT 4HE CHILDˆWHAT WAS HE 3IMPLY A LITTLE MAN AND AS A LITTLE MAN HE SHOULD TAKE A LITTLE OF WHAT GREATER MEN TOOK (E SHOULD LISTEN TO THE SERMON DANGLING HIS FEET FROM THE HIGH BENCH AND WAGGING HIS WEARY BODY AGAINST HIS MOTHER IF HE DID NOT KNOW ALL THE BIG WORDS HE KNEW THE LITTLE ONES SIN FALL
!RTHUR 7 3PALDING WAS A MUCH ADMIRED !DVENTIST EDUCATOR AUTHOR AND EDITOR (IS FOUR VOLUME HISTORY OF THE CHURCH /RIGIN AND (ISTORY OF 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS FROM WHICH THIS SELECTION IS DRAWN VOL PP WAS PUBLISHED IN
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
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ANGEL *ESUS END OF THE WORLD 4IME WAS SHORT THE ,ORD WOULD COME BEFORE THE CHILD WOULD BE GROWN WHY BOTHER TO EDUCATE HIM *AMES 7HITE WROTE h3OME HAVE THOUGHT THAT BECAUSE #HRIST WAS SO SOON COMING THEY NEED NOT BESTOW MUCH LABOR ON THEIR CHILDREN 4HIS IS A GRIEVOUS ERROR SUFlCIENT TO CALL DOWN THE FROWN OF (EAVEN v 4HIS MAN WHO LOVED CHILDREN WHO HAD BEEN A TEACHER OF CHILDREN WHO EARLY IN HIS MINISTRY HAD TAKEN PLEASURE IN CONFUTING ADULTS WHO OPPOSED THE CONVERSION AND BAPTISM OF CHILDREN WAS NOW IN THE MIDST OF HIS CARES AND BURDENS IN STARTING THIS lNAL GOSPEL MESSAGE STIRRED TO THE DEPTHS OF HIS SOUL BY THE NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN AND HE WAS MADE THE INSTRUMENT IN THE HANDS OF 'OD TO PLANT THE SEED OF A MIGHTY MOVEMENT IN THE CHURCH FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH 4HIS PURPOSE WAS IMMEDIATELY ANNOUNCED IN THEIR ONLY EXISTING PAPER THE 2EVIEW AND (ERALD ;NOW THE !DVENTIST 2EVIEW= h7E DESIGN PUBLISHING A SMALL MONTHLY PAPER CONTAINING MATTER FOR THE BENElT OF THE YOUTH !ND WE ARE SATISlED THAT OUR BRETHREN AND SISTERS WILL AGREE WITH US THAT SOMETHING OF THE KIND IS VERY MUCH NEEDED 4HE CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE A PAPER OF THEIR OWN ONE THAT WILL INTEREST AND INSTRUCT THEM h'OD IS AT WORK AMONG THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BELIEVING PARENTS OR GUARDIANS AND MANY OF THEM ARE BEING CONVERTED AND THEY NEED TO BE INSTRUCTED IN THE PRESENT TRUTH !ND THERE IS A PORTION OF THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BELIEVING PARENTS OR GUARDIANS WHO ARE NEGLECTED AND DO NOT HAVE RIGHT INSTRUCTION CONSEQUENTLY THEY DO NOT MANIFEST MUCH INTEREST FOR THEIR OWN SALVATION 7E TRUST THAT SUCH A PAPER AS WE DESIGN PUBLISHING WILL INTEREST SUCH CHILDREN AND ALSO BE THE MEANS OF WAKING UP THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS TO A SENSE OF THEIR IMPORTANT DUTY /N THEM RESTS THE AWFUL RESPONSIBILITY OF TRAINING SOULS FOR THE KINGDOM OF 'OD "UT IT IS A LAMENTABLE FACT THAT MANY OF THEIR CHILDREN ARE LEFT WITHOUT SUITABLE INSTRUCTION 7E FEEL MORE ON THIS SUBJECT THAN WE CAN EXPRESS -AY 'OD WAKE UP (IS PEOPLE TO A SENSE OF THEIR DUTY TO THOSE YOUNG MINDS ENTRUSTED TO THEIR CARE TO GUIDE IN THE CHANNEL OF VIRTUE AND HOLINESS
THE .EEDS
ILDREN h7E INTEND TO GIVE FOUR OR lVE LESSONS IN THE FORM OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS IN EACH NUMBER ONE FOR EACH WEEK FOR 3ABBATH SCHOOL LESSONS 4HESE SCHOOLS CAN BE HELD WHERE THERE ARE BUT TWO OR THREE CHILDREN AS WELL AS WHERE THERE ARE MORE v 4HE lRST NUMBER OF THE 9OUTH S )NSTRUCTOR WAS PUBLISHED AT 2OCHESTER .EW 9ORK IN !UGUST A MONTHLY WITH SUBSCRIPTION PRICE TWENTY lVE CENTS A YEAR BUT FREE TO CHILDREN WHO THEMSELVES OR WHOSE SPONSORS COULD NOT PAY 4HE EDITORSHIP WAS NOT DECLARED BUT IT WAS UNDER THE CARE OF *AMES 7HITE WHO WAS GREATLY ASSISTED AT THIS TIME BY !NNIE 3MITH ! YEAR LATER THE EDITOR WAS !NNA 7HITE THE SISTER OF *AMES 7HITE WHO WITH HER BROTHER .ATHANAEL HAD COME TO LIVE WITH THEM IN THE AUTUMN OF x *AMES 7HITE HAD PREPARED AN INITIAL SERIES OF NINETEEN "IBLE LESSONS ON THE MAIN POINTS OF THE FAITH 7HILE THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTHˆAN OMNIBUS ASSIGNMENTˆTHEY SERVED ALSO IN THE ABSENCE OF OTHER 3ABBATH SCHOOL MATERIAL AS THE LESSON STUDIES FOR ADULTS 4HESE lRST LESSONS WERE FOLLOWED BY SEVENTEEN OTHERS SELECTED FROM A NON !DVENTIST PAPER %IGHT LESSONS ON THE SANCTUARY FOLLOWED AND THEN THE MOMENTUM WAS EXHAUSTED 7HILE THE MOTHER OF THE 3ABBATH SCHOOL THE 9OUTH S )NSTRUCTOR CONTINUED TO BE PUBLISHED AS A MONTHLY ITS CHILD WAS LEFT FORLORNLY CRYING FOR ATTENTION "OWED UNDER MANY CARES AND ILL *AMES 7HITE COULD BARELY KEEP THE !DVENT SHIP POINTED ON HER TRUE COURSE AND THE INTERESTS OF THE 3ABBATH SCHOOL LANGUISHED FOR EIGHT MONTHS 4HEN THE SOUL OF 2OSWELL & #OTTRELL WAS ROUSED TO ACTION AND HE PREPARED A YEAR S COURSE OF WEEKLY LESSONS WHICH IN APPEARED IN THE 9OUTH S )NSTRUCTOR AND THE NEXT YEAR WERE PUBLISHED IN BOOK FORM 4HE "IBLE #LASS 4HIS LITTLE BOOK SERVED AS THE 3ABBATH SCHOOL GUIDE FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS UNTIL THE EDITION OF TWO THOUSAND WAS EXHAUSTED ,IKE THE lRST LESSONS THEY WERE DESIGNED AS FOOD FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND AGAIN LIKE THEM THEY BECAME MEAT AS WELL FOR THE OLD "UT IF THE SCIENCE OF FEEDING THE CHILD WAS NOT GREATLY DEVELOPED IN THAT DAY AT LEAST THE WILL TO NOURISH WAS THERE AND THE CHILDREN S TEETH WERE STRONG
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MORAL INmUENCE VIEW OF THE CROSS
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SIN IS LOCATED IN MISINFORMATION ABOUT 'OD 7E DO NOT NEED DELIVERANCE FROM THE POWER OF SIN BUT FROM OUR IGNORANCE ABOUT (IS LOVING CHARACTER (UMANS IT IS ARGUED VIEW 'OD AS A TYRANT WHO IMPOSES ON THEM ARBITRARY DEMANDS AND DISCIPLINES THEM 4HE CROSS SAVES BY CHANGING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF 'OD 3UCH OPINION DOES NOT SQUARE WITH THE BIBLICAL VIEW OF SIN AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMANS 3IN IS INTENTIONAL REBELLION AGAINST 'OD WHICH HAS SEPARATED US FROM (IM )T IS NOT SIMPLY SOLVED BY A CHANGE IN US A SUBJECTIVE ATONEMENT BUT BY A DIVINE INTERVENTION THAT REMOVES BARRIERS AND BRINGS RECONCILIATION OBJECTIVE ATONEMENT 3EPARATION OF *UDGMENT &ROM ,OVE 7HEN THE ATONEMENT IS CIRCUMSCRIBED TO 'OD S WORK IN US (IS JUDGMENT AGAINST SIN IS CONSIDERED INCOMPATIBLE WITH (IS LOVE 4HIS AS WE HAVE ARGUED ON OTHER OCCASIONS MAKES LOVE A SYNONYM FOR DIVINE INDIFFERENCE *UDGMENT AGAINST SIN MEANS THAT 'OD TAKES OUR ACTIONS SERIOUSLY BECAUSE (E CARES ABOUT US "UT MORE THAN THAT IT MEANS THAT (E WAS WILLING AND ABLE TO ASSUME THAT JUDGMENT AGAINST US ON THE CROSS 'OD S WRATH IS AN EXPRESSION OF DIVINE LOVE IT REVEALS A 'OD WHO CARES FOR US TO THE POINT OF SHOWING US HOW PAINFUL SIN IS FOR (IM ,OVE AND THE #ROSS 0ERHAPS THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION IS HOW THE CROSS REVEALS LOVE 4HE MORAL INmUENCE THEORY ARGUES THAT IT SHOWS LOVE IN THAT #HRIST THE )NNOCENT DIED THERE IDENTIFYING (IMSELF WITH US BUT NOT DYING IN OUR PLACE "UT MANY OTHER PERSONS DIED ON CROSSES 7HY IS THE CROSS OF #HRIST A REVELATION OF THE LOVE OF 'OD BUT NOT THE OTHERS 9ES THE 3INLESS /NE DIED THERE BUT THERE IS MORE (E DIED FOR SINNERS TO SAVE THEM THROUGH (IS ATONING SACRIlCE 2OM *OHN #HRIST S DEATH IS INDEED THE GREATEST REVELATION OF 'OD S LOVE BECAUSE ON IT h'OD WAS RECONCILING THE WORLD TO (IMSELF x NOT COUNTING MEN S SINS AGAINST THEM v BUT RATHER MAKING hHIM WHO HAD NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR USv #OR .)6
OR CENTURIES #HRISTIANS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO EXPLAIN HOW *ESUS DEATH ON THE CROSS SAVES US 7E CALL THESE EXPLANATIONS hTHEORIES OF THE ATONEMENT v /NE OF THEM IS KNOWN AS THE hMORAL INmUENCE THEORYv OF THE ATONEMENT ) WILL SUMMARIZE ITS CONTENT ITS STRENGTHS AND lNALLY OFFER AN EVALUATION OF IT 3UMMARY OF )TS 4EACHING 4HERE ARE SLIGHT VARIATIONS OF THE MORAL INmUENCE THEORY BUT AMONG ITS CENTRAL ASPECTS WE lND THE FOLLOWING IDEAS &IRST THE CROSS IS UNDERSTOOD TO BE THE SUPREME REVELATION OF 'OD S LOVE 4HERE 'OD IDENTIFIED (IMSELF WITH US TO THE POINT OF GOING "Y THROUGH WHAT WE ALL !NGEL -ANUEL EXPERIENCE NAMELY DEATH 2ODR¤GUEZ 3ECOND THE MANIFESTATION OF 'OD S LOVE WAS SO FULL THAT AS A RESULT WE ARE TRANSFORMED BY IT 4HAT IS CALLED hTHE MORAL INmUENCE OF THE CROSS v 4HE VOLUNTARY DEATH OF #HRIST ON THE CROSS AWAKENS IN US LOVE TOWARD 'OD IT CHANGES OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD (IM AND MOVES US TO EXEMPLIFY (IS LOVE IN OUR LIVES /BVIOUSLY THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SAVING EFlCACY OF THE CROSS 3CRIPTURE ATTESTS THAT THE CROSS IS THE MOST GLORIOUS MANIFESTATION OF THE SACRIlCIAL LOVE OF #HRIST TOWARD SINNERS E G *OHN AND (IS DEATH SHOULD MOVE US TO MANIFEST THE SAME QUALITY OF LOVE IN OUR LIVES "UT SOME SIGNIlCANT WEAKNESSES IN THIS THEORY LIMIT ITS USEFULNESS )T $ENIES A #ENTRAL !SPECT OF THE !TONEMENT /NE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS OF THE MORAL INmUENCE VIEW IS THAT IT REJECTS THE SUBSTITUTIONARY NATURE OF #HRIST S DEATH 4HE IDEA THAT 'OD HAD TO KILL THE INNOCENT INSTEAD OF THE GUILTY IN ORDER TO SAVE US IS CONSIDERED A VIOLATION OF JUSTICE 9ET THE WITNESS OF 3CRIPTURE IS THAT #HRIST DIED AS OUR SUBSTITUTE E G )SA -ARK #OR )N THE ATONEMENT 'OD (IMSELF VOLUNTARILY ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR SIN 4HIS IS A GLORIOUS MANIFESTATION OF DIVINE GRACE NOT AN INJUSTICE !TONEMENT IS 'OD S WORK FOR US IT IS A MATTER BETWEEN (IM AND US .O THIRD PARTY IS INVOLVED .ARROW 6IEW OF THE (UMAN 0REDICAMENT 4HE !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODRÓGUEZ IS DIRECTOR OF THE "IBLICAL 2ESEARCH )NSTITUTE OF THE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE MORAL INmUENCE VIEW PRESUPPOSES THAT THE HUMAN TRAGEDY OF
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4HERE ARE DAYS WHEN ANGELS SING WHEN ALL OF HEAVEN REJOICES !T #HRIST S BIRTH THE HEAVENLY HOSTS PRAISED 'OD AND SANG h'LORY TO 'OD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH PEACE GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN v ,UKE 7HAT THRILLED THE HEARTS OF THESE ANGELS SO MUCH 7HY DID ANGELS SING AT *ESUS BIRTH )N TODAY S LESSON WE SHALL DISCOVER ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS AND LEARN HOW THE BIRTH OF THE "ABY IN "ETHLEHEM S MANGER MAKES US REJOICE AS WELL
7HAT DID THE ANGEL VISITOR TELL *OSEPH ABOUT HIS WIFE -ARY S CHILD 2EAD THE TEXT BELOW AND WRITE YOUR ANSWER ON THE LINE PROVIDED h@!ND SHE WILL BRING FORTH A 3ON AND YOU SHALL CALL (IS NAME *ESUS FOR (E WILL SAVE (IS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS v -ATT 4HE PURPOSE OF *ESUS LIFE DEATH AND RESURRECTION WAS TO
4HE ANGELS SANG BECAUSE THE 3AVIOR OF THE WORLD WAS BORN 4HEY SANG BECAUSE SIN WOULD lNALLY BE DEFEATED
#IRCLE THE SPECIlC NAME THE ANGEL INSTRUCTED -ARY AND *OSEPH TO NAME THEIR CHILD 2EAD THE TEXT BELOW AND lLL IN THE BLANK h@"EHOLD A VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND BEAR A 3ON AND THEY SHALL CALL (IS NAME )MMANUEL WHICH IS TRANSLATED @'OD WITH US v -ATT h)MMANUELv MEANS
2EAD THE TEXT BELOW AND LIST ALL THE DIFFERENT NAMES THE PROPHET )SAIAH USED FOR *ESUS h&OR UNTO US A #HILD IS BORN UNTO US A 3ON IS GIVEN AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE UPON (IS SHOULDER !ND (IS NAME WILL BE CALLED 7ONDERFUL #OUNSELOR -IGHTY 'OD %VERLASTING &ATHER 0RINCE OF 0EACEv )SA A B C D E
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
#HOOSE ONE OF THE ABOVE NAMES AND TELL IN YOUR OWN WORDS WHY THIS PARTICULAR NAME FOR *ESUS IS SO PRECIOUS TO YOU
!FTER *ESUS CONVERSATION WITH THE WOMAN AT *ACOB S WELL WHEN THE 3AMARITANS LISTENED TO THE WORDS OF *ESUS WHO DID THEY DECLARE (E WAS 2EAD THE TEXT AND lLL IN THE BLANKS BELOW h4HEN THEY SAID TO THE WOMAN @.OW WE BELIEVE NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU SAID FOR WE HAVE HEARD FOR OURSELVES AND KNOW THAT THIS IS INDEED THE #HRIST THE 3AVIOR OF THE WORLD v *OHN 4HE 3AMARITANS CALLED *ESUS THE
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(OW DID *ESUS IDENTIFY (IMSELF DURING (IS WILDERNESS TEMPTATION WITH 3ATAN 2EAD THE TEXT AND lLL IN THE BLANK BELOW h*ESUS SAID TO HIM @)T IS WRITTEN AGAIN h9OU SHALL NOT TEMPT THE ,ORD YOUR 'ODv v -ATT *ESUS USED THE TITLE
#HRIST THE CHILD BORN OF A VIRGIN IS BOTH 3AVIOR AND ,ORD (E MET THE TEMPTATIONS OF 3ATAN HEAD ON AND OVERCAME THEM ON OUR BEHALF (E REVEALED THE LOVING CHARACTER OF (IS &ATHER TO THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE (IS DEATH ON THE CROSS PROVIDES HEAVEN S RANSOM FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN *ESUS IS OUR 3AVIOR AND ALSO OUR ,ORD 4HE LIVING #HRIST DWELLS IN OUR HEARTS THROUGH (IS 3PIRIT (E GIVES US POWER OVER THE EVIL ONE
(OW DID THE APOSTLE 0AUL DESCRIBE #HRIST S MISSION 7HAT TWO THINGS WILL THE 3AVIOR DO FOR US 2EAD THE TEXT AND lLL IN THE BLANKS h/UR GREAT 'OD AND 3AVIOR *ESUS #HRIST x GAVE (IMSELF FOR US THAT (E MIGHT REDEEM US FROM EVERY LAWLESS DEED AND PURIFY FOR (IMSELF (IS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLEv 4ITUS *ESUS WILL A B
4HE GRACE OF 'OD WHICH APPEARS TO ALL BRINGS SALVATION TO ALL WHO ACCEPT IT SEE 4ITUS *ESUS OUR 3AVIOR AND ,ORD DELIVERS US FROM BOTH THE PENALTY OF SIN AND THE POWER OF SIN !S THE OLD HYMN h2OCK OF !GES v PUTS IT SO BEAUTIFULLY h"E OF SIN THE DOUBLE CURE
#LEANSE ME FROM ITS GUILT AND POWER v 7HAT A WONDERFUL 3AVIOR IS *ESUS (E SAVES US FROM BOTH SIN S CONDEMNATION AND ITS CONTROL )N *ESUS WE lND DELIVERANCE FULL AND COMPLETE
,OOK FOR NEXT MONTH S LESSON FOR HELP ABOUT HOW TO LIVE THE #HRISTIAN LIFE !DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
,%44%23 !DVENTIST #ULTURE
4HANK YOU FOR PRINTING $AVID -ARSHALL S ARTICLE h#ELEBRITY #ULTUREv /CTOBER !ND THANKS TO -ARSHALL FOR POINTING TO THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM OF CONSERVATIVE !DVENTISM ) WAS REBUKED 7E RE GREAT AT DENOUNCING THE ENCROACHMENTS OF POPULAR CULTURE IN SOME AREAS BUT WE DON T SEEM TO MIND CULTURING OUR VERY OWN LITTLE (OLLYWOOD REPLETE WITH OUR VERY OWN PANTHEON OF hSTARS v "UT HOW WORLDLY IS THAT 4HE AUTHOR OF THIS LONG OVERDUE ARTICLE SKILLFULLY EXTRAPOLATED THIS CELEBRITY CULTURE TO ITS lNAL END WHICH IS THAT hSTARSv OFTEN BECOME FALLEN STARS (EAVEN HELP US IF THE ONUS FOR THEIR APOSTASY HANGS OVER OUR IDOLATROUS LITTLE HEADS (E IDENTIlED A RELATED PROBLEM OF hCAMPS v -Y PRAYER IS THAT THOSE OF US WHO VALUE STANDARDS BUT WHO ARE INCLINED TO MAKE THEM AN EXCUSE FOR SEPARATISM WILL REMEMBER THAT UNITY IS ALSO A STANDARD 2OM #OR 0HIL #OR AND 0ET *ENNIFER 3CHWIRZER 0ENNSYLVANIA 5NITED 3TATES )N REGARD TO h#ELEBRITY #ULTURE v WE CANNOT DENY THAT THIS IS TAKING PLACE IN OUR CHURCHES NOT ONLY IN THE 5NITED 3TATES BUT ALSO HERE IN THE #ARIBBEAN !ND IT IS NOT ONLY WITH PREACHERS BUT ALSO WITH SINGERS MUSICIANS )T SEEMS
THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE CANNOT RESIST THE ACCLAMATIONS THEY RECEIVE FROM LARGE AUDIENCES 3EVERAL OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE EXCELLENT SINGERS HAVE DRIFTED AWAY FROM THE CHURCH CONGREGATIONS TO THE WORLDLY AUDIENCES )T IS NOT NECESSARILY TRUE THAT A hGREATv PREACHER IS A GREAT #HRISTIAN 4HE SAME MAY BE SAID OF SINGERS 4HE ATTENTION HAS TO BE DRAWN TO *ESUS BUT TOO MANY TIMES THE hPERFORMANCES AND SHOWSv OF PREACHERS AND SINGERS ALIKE DRAW ALL ATTENTION TO THEMSELVES 4HE HUMAN mESH IS WEAK INDEED AND TOO MUCH ATTENTION MAKES BEING A #HRISTIAN EVEN MORE DIFlCULT 7E SHOULD LIFT UP THE 4ALENT GIVER IN PLACE OF THE TALENT PRESENTER "UT WE SHOULDN T TOO HARSH ON THESE PEOPLE THEY ARE HUMAN JUST LIKE US 7E ARE PROBABLY NO BETTER SHOULD WE STAND IN THEIR SHOES .ORMAN 2 "OEKHOUDT 6IA % MAIL 7ITH !LL 9OUR -IND
) CONSIDER THE ARTICLE h7ITH !LL 9OUR -IND v BY 2EINDER "RUINSMA !UGUST VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING AND CHALLENGING ) HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A STAGNANT #HRISTIAN ) AM EAGER TO LEARN NEW THINGS BUT THE MORE ) LEARN THE MORE ) REALIZE HOW LITTLE ) KNOW ) FULLY AGREE THAT THERE MUST ALWAYS BE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH KNOWING AND DOING BELIEVING OBEYING AND SHARING /NE OF MY GREATEST ANTICIPATIONS OF HEAVEN IS TO HAVE A MIND CAPABLE OF LEARNING UNDERSTANDING AND ENJOYING
THE MANY MARVELOUS WONDERS 'OD HAS IN STORE FOR THE REDEEMED 7ITH THE SIN FACTOR REMOVED WE WILL HAVE MINDS CAPABLE OF AND EAGER TO COMPREHEND BEYOND WHAT WE NOW SCARCELY IMAGINE !S WE PURSUE OUR SPECIAL INTERESTS IN HEAVEN WE WILL BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING EVERY CHALLENGE 'OD WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER ALL OF OUR TROUBLING QUESTIONS MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE AND WE WILL REALIZE THAT (IS WISDOM WILL ALWAYS BE FAR BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING THROUGHOUT ETERNITY ,ONETA 0AULY 4EXAS 5NITED 3TATES 7HY ,UCIFER
) M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN !NGEL -ANUEL 2ODR¤GUEZ S SECTION ON "IBLE QUESTIONS ) WAS RECENTLY READING HIS ARTICLE IN THE *ULY !DVENTIST 7ORLD ISSUE ) REALLY LIKE THE WAY HE PRESENTED THE THREE POINTS THEY ARE VERY CLEAR AND INTERESTING (OWEVER QUESTIONS WILL CONTINUE TO EMANATE EVEN AFTER SUCH A DETAILED PRESENTATION 4HEREFORE ) SUGGEST THAT IN ANY OF THE SITUATIONS THAT PREACHERS AND TEACHERS FACE SUCH QUESTIONS THEY SHOULD ONLY READ THE "IBLE AND EMPHASIZE THE ORIGIN OF SIN IN THE PERFECT HEAVEN AS MYSTERIOUS .OEL -HOSVA 3OLUSI 5NIVERSITY :IMBABWE
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
,%44%23 !DVENTIST 7ORLD ON THE )NTERNET
*ESUS )S 3TILL #OMING
(ELLO ) AM SO GLAD THAT WE CAN NOW ACCESS !DVENTIST 7ORLD MAGAZINE ONLINE ) M IN 5GANDA AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET COPIES OF THIS VERY GOOD MAGAZINE -AY 'OD BLESS YOU ALL AT !DVENTIST 7ORLD (ENRY .AMAZIMA 5GANDA
) AM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE READ ONE OF YOUR ARTICLES IN THE *UNE !DVENTIST 7ORLD h4HE 2ETURN OF *ESUS )S )T 3TILL /N v BY $AVID -ARSHALL 4HIS SUBJECT OPINION REALLY MADE ME VERY HAPPY BECAUSE ) AM ONE OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT *ESUS IS COMING AND ) CONCUR WITH -R 2OSARIO !LBURO #HOI OF 5LSAN 3OUTH +OREA HIS LETTER IS PUBLISHED IN THAT ISSUE ON P 4HANK YOU ALSO FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO PUBLISH THIS WONDERFUL MAGAZINE 0LEASE DO SEND ME SOME OF YOUR ARTICLES AND IF YOU OFFER "IBLE STUDIES PLEASE ENROLL ME AS ONE OF YOUR "IBLE STUDY STUDENTS !LEX 3TANSLAUS -OSSECH ,USAKA :AMBIA
4HANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO VIEW THE MAGAZINE ON THE )NTERNET 7HENEVER YOU FEEL DISCOURAGED JUST THINK HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DEPENDING ON YOUR EFFORT 7E DON T ALWAYS WRITE BUT WE WILL BE HERE READING AND WAITING FOR THE NEXT ISSUE TO COME 7E DON T ALWAYS SEE A PRINTED VERSION NOW WE HAVE ACCESS !NDRE VAN DER 3CHYFF 3OUTH !FRICA
7HILE WE PRINT A "IBLE STUDY BY -ARK &INLEY IN EACH MONTHLY EDITION OF !DVENTIST 7ORLD THESE ARE SOLELY FOR THE USE OF READERSˆWE ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO RUN A PROGRAM WITH STUDENTS TEACHERS /UR ADVICE TO THIS READER AND OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CONCERNS IS TO CONTACT THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH UNION CONFERENCE OR DIVISION OFlCE IN YOUR REGION OF THE WORLD 7E ARE GRATIlED THAT THE MAGAZINE IS lLLING THIS IMPORTANT NEED )N ADDITION THOSE WITH ACCESS TO THE )NTERNET MAY VISIT WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ˆ%DITORS ,ETTERS 0OLICY 0LEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO LETTERS ADVENTISTWORLD ORG ,ETTERS MUST BE CLEARLY WRITTEN AND TO THE POINT WORD MAXIMUM "E SURE TO INCLUDE THE NAME OF THE ARTICLE THE DATE OF PUBLICATION AND PAGE NUMBER WITH YOUR LETTER !LSO INCLUDE YOUR NAME THE TOWN CITY STATE AND COUNTRY FROM WHICH YOU ARE WRITING ,ETTERS WILL BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY .OT ALL LETTERS SUBMITTED WILL BE PUBLISHED
4 ( % 0 , ! # % / & 0 2 !9 % 2 ) WAS BORN IN )NDIA AND AM LOOKING FOR A JOB IN THE 5NITED !RAB %MIRATES 0LEASE PRAY ) GET A JOB BEFORE MY VISA ENDS 'OD BLESS YOU ALL 3UNSON 5NITED !RAB %MIRATES ) HAVE SEVERAL PRAYER REQUESTS AMONG WHICH ARE BELIEVERS NEEDING A CHURCH TO WORSHIP IN MY MOTHER IS SICK AND NEEDS HEALING ) AM HAVING HOUSING PROBLEMS 'OD IS ABLE AND ) BELIEVE (E CAN ANSWER THESE PRAYERS 'IRMA .AZARETH %THIOPIA ) AM FROM +ERALA )NDIA (ERE WE ARE CIRCLED BY DIFFERENT BELIEFS AND WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THEM IN SCHOOL COLLEGE AND WORK -OST PEOPLE ARE HAPPY TO TALK TO ME AND ) TELL THEM ABOUT OUR BELIEFS !CTUALLY SOME PEOPLE ) TALK TO WANT TO JOIN OUR CONGREGATION BUT THEY FEAR SOCIETY AND THEIR
!DVENTIST 7ORLD \ $ECEMBER
RELATIVES SO ) NEED PRAYER FROM OUR !DVENTIST COMMUNITY ALL OVER THE WORLD IN ORDER TO WIN MORE SOULS TO (IM 4ITUS )NDIA 0LEASE PRAY FOR A FRIEND WHO IS VERY SICK 3HE IS ALSO DEPRESSED AND HAS TRIED TO TAKE HER LIFE TWO TIMES -Y FRIEND NEEDS TO BE SAVED AND HEALED 0LEASE ALSO PRAY FOR ANOTHER PERSON A CHURCH MEMBER WHO HAS CANCER AND WHILE SHE SURVIVED HER RECENT BIRTHDAY IS STILL VERY SICK %INAR .ORWAY
4HE 0LACE OF 0RAYER SEND TO PRAYER ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 3END US YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISE THANKS FOR ANSWERED PRAYER +EEP YOUR ENTRIES SHORT AND CONCISE WORDS MAXIMUM )TEMS SENT TO THIS CATEGORY WILL BE EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY %VEN THOUGH WE WILL PRAY FOR EACH ENTRY DURING OUR WEEKLY STAFF MEETINGS NOT ALL SUBMISSIONS WILL BE PRINTED 0LEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND YOUR COUNTRY S NAME WITH YOUR ENTRY 9OU MAY ALSO FAX REQUESTS TO OR MAIL THEM TO !DVENTIST 7ORLD /LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE 3ILVER 3PRING -$ 5 3 !
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/UR MISSION IS TO UPLIFT *ESUS #HRIST UNITING 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTISTS EVERYWHERE IN BELIEFS MISSION LIFE AND HOPE
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N A FEW DAYS ) WILL TURN 3O WHAT YOU SAY 4HAT IS NOTHING REMARKABLE AND IN A SENSE ) AGREE 3O MANY PEOPLE IN THESE DAYS OF BETTER MEDICAL CARE ARE ACHIEVING CONSIDERABLY ' 2 : % ' / 2 : + 7 ) ! 4 + / 7 3 + ) MORE YEARS THAN THAT "UT IT IS ENOUGH YEARS TO HAVE OBSERVED AMAZING CHANGES #HANGES THAT AS A CHILD AND YOUNG PERSON ) WOULDN T EVEN HAVE KNOWN TO DREAM OF )T S ALL IN THE HISTORY BOOKSˆTHE DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN THE PAST CENTURY AND THAT ARE HAPPENING ON VIRTUALLY A DAILY BASIS 4HEY ARE TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION IN A SHORT ARTICLE "UT THE CHANGES ) AM THINKING OF HAVE TO DO WITH THE EVOLUTION OF OUR !DVENTIST #HURCH ) RECALL THAT AS A CHILD WHEN A PERSON OR FAMILY WENT TO THE hMISSION lELD v THE FAREWELLS GIVEN THEM WERE SERIOUSLY REGARDED AS POSSIBLY PERMANENT !ND SADLY OFTEN THEY WERE /UR PRAYERS USUALLY INCLUDED hAND BLESS THE MISSIONARIES IN THE FOREIGN lELDS v 7E HAD NOT THE VAGUEST NOTION OF WHERE THAT hFOREIGN lELDv WAS OR ANY CLUE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THERE 5NTIL ONE MAGICAL 3ABBATH MORNING WHEN A TINY EDGE OF THE CURTAIN WAS LIFTED ! MAN WITH BEAUTIFUL BLACK HAIR AND WHO WAS WEARING A hDRESS v CAME TO OUR SMALL CHURCH ) WAS VERY YOUNG BUT ) REMEMBER HIS NAME WAS +ATA 2AGASO -Y YOUNG HEART WAS THRILLED AND A DESIRE TO SUPPORT MISSION WORK WAS BORN WITHIN ME )T IS A DESIRE THAT HAS STAYED WITH ME ALL THESE YEARS -Y HUSBAND AND ) EVEN BECAME SOME OF THOSE hMISSIONARIES IN A FOREIGN lELDv FOR A TIME 4ODAY BY THE MAGIC OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY THE BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE OF #HRIST S SAVING GRACE CAN mY AROUND THE WORLD IN SECONDS "UT ALL THESE TECHNOLOGIES DO NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT A COST 7E MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GO PERSONALLY BUT WE CAN SURELY DO OUR PART TO ENABLE THOSE WHO CAN GOˆWE CAN HAVE OUR DOLLARS RIDE ONE OF THOSE BEAMS OF LIGHT THAT GO mYING AROUND THE WORLD 7E SING h*OY TO THE 7ORLDv AT #HRISTMASTIME BUT THINK OF THE ABSOLUTE UNBELIEVABLE JOY THAT WILL BE OURS WHEN WE MEET PEOPLE IN 'OD S KINGDOM WHO ARE THERE BECAUSE OUR DOLLARS EVEN PENNIES HELPED BRING THE MESSAGE OF *ESUS LOVE TO THEM ˆ *EANE $E (AVEN 3EQUIM 7ASHINGTON 5NITED 3TATES
0UBLISHER 4HE !DVENTIST 7ORLD AN INTERNATIONAL PERIODICAL OF THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IS HOUSED IN THE +OREAN !DVENTIST #HURCH 4HE 'ENERAL #ONFERENCE IS THE PUBLISHER %XECUTIVE 0UBLISHER "ILL +NOTT !SSOCIATE 0UBLISHER #LAUDE 2ICHLI )NTERNATIONAL 0UBLISHING -ANAGER #HUN 0YUNG $UK 0UBLISHING "OARD *AN 0AULSEN CHAIR 4ED . # 7ILSON VICE CHAIR "ILL +NOTT SECRETARY !RMANDO -IRANDA 0ARDON + -WANSA *UAN 0RESTOL #HARLES # 3ANDEFUR $ON # 3CHNEIDER (EATHER $AWN 3MALL 2OBERT 3 3MITH 2OBERT % +YTE LEGAL ADVISOR !DVENTIST 7ORLD #OORDINATING #OMMITTEE ,EE *AIRYONG CHAIR !KERI 3UZUKI $ONALD 5PSON 'UIMO 3UNG 'LENN -ITCHELL #HUN 0YUNG $UK %DITOR IN #HIEF "ILL +NOTT %DITORS BASED IN 3ILVER 3PRING -ARYLAND 2OY !DAMS ASSOCIATE EDITOR 3ANDRA "LACKMER 3TEPHEN #HAVEZ -ARK ! +ELLNER +IMBERLY ,USTE -ARAN %DITORS BASED IN 3EOUL +OREA #HUN *UNG +WON #HOE *EONG +WAN /NLINE %DITOR #ARLOS -EDLEY 4ECHNICAL #OORDINATOR -ERLE 0OIRIER %XECUTIVE !SSISTANT TO THE %DITOR 2ACHEL * #HILD %DITORIAL !SSISTANTS -ARVENE 4HORPE "APTISTE !LFREDO 'ARCIA -ARENKO 2EADER 3ERVICES -ERLE 0OIRIER !RT $IRECTION AND $ESIGN *EFF $EVER &ATIMA !MEEN "ILL 4YMESON #ONSULTANTS *AN 0AULSEN -ATTHEW "EDIAKO 2OBERT % ,EMON ,OWELL # #OOPER -ARK ! &INLEY %UGENE +ING 9I (SU 'ERRY $ +ARST !RMANDO -IRANDA 0ARDON + -WANSA -ICHAEL , 2YAN %LLA 3 3IMMONS 4ED . # 7ILSON ,UKA 4 $ANIEL ,AURIE * %VANS !LBERTO # 'ULFAN *R %RTON +ÚHLER *AIRYONG ,EE )SRAEL ,EITO 'EOFFREY ' -BWANA 0AUL 3 2ATSARA $ON # 3CHNEIDER !RTUR ! 3TELE 5LRICH 7 &RIKART $ 2ONALD 7ATTS "ERTIL ! 7IKLANDER 4O 7RITERS 7E WELCOME UNSOLICITED MANUSCRIPTS !DDRESS ALL EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE TO /LD #OLUMBIA 0IKE 3ILVER 3PRING -$ 5 3 ! %DITORIAL OFlCE FAX NUMBER %MAIL )NTERNET WORLDEDITOR GC ADVENTIST ORG 7EB SITE WWW ADVENTISTWORLD ORG 5NLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED ALL "IBLE REFERENCES ARE TAKEN FROM THE .EW +ING *AMES 6ERSION #OPYRIGHT ¥ BY 4HOMAS .ELSON )NC 5SED BY PERMISSION !LL RIGHTS RESERVED 4EXTS CREDITED TO .)6 ARE FROM THE (OLY "IBLE .EW )NTERNATIONAL 6ERSION #OPYRIGHT ¥ )NTERNATIONAL "IBLE 3OCIETY 5SED BY PERMISSION OF :ONDERVAN "IBLE 0UBLISHERS !DVENTIST 7ORLD IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY AND PRINTED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN +OREA "RAZIL )NDONESIA !USTRALIA AND THE 5NITED 3TATES 6OL .O
$ECEMBER \ !DVENTIST 7ORLD
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- % % 4 9 /5 2 . % ) ' ( " / 2 ! 2OMANIAN CRIMINAL ONCE LABELED THE COUNTRY S FOURTH MOST DANGEROUS IS CHOOS ING TO FORGO PAROLE AFTER BECOMING A 3EV ENTH DAY !DVENTIST (E WOULD RATHER STAY IN PRISON TO SHARE HIS NEWFOUND FAITH 6ALERIU #URIN WAS A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN THE SOUTHEASTERN %UROPEAN COUNTRY YEARS AGO FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT IN ORGANIZED CRIME #URIN WAS ONE OF EIGHT LIFE TERM INMATES TO STEP INTO A PORTABLE BAPTISMAL TANK *ULY IN A PRISON IN THE CITY OF #RAIOVA AND DECLARE COMMITMENT TO A #HRISTIAN LIFE 'EORGE 5BA WHO OVERSEES PERSONAL MIN ISTRIES FOR THE 3EVENTH DAY !DVENTIST #HURCH IN 2OMANIA SAID #URIN AN AVID READER lNALLY PICKED UP A "IBLE IN HIS CELL AFTER YEARS OF NE GLECTING IT #URIN GRADUALLY IMMERSED HIMSELF IN THE POWER OF 'OD S 7ORD 5BA SAID !ND IT CHANGED HIS LIFE (IS LIFE SENTENCE IN PRISON ALLOWS HIM TO RE QUEST PAROLE AFTER YEARS BUT GOOD BEHAVIOR HAS GIVEN HIM THE OPTION TO APPLY AFTER YEARS )NSTEAD #URIN IS CHOOS 2 ! * 5 . $ $ ING TO WAIVE HIS RIGHT REMAIN IN PRISON AND LEAD OTHERS TO #HRIST 5BA SAID "
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h7E ARE LIVING ON THE THRESHOLD OF 'OD S NEXT GREAT MOVE WHAT AN AWESOME TIME TO BE LOVING AND SERVING THE ,ORD v ˆ "OB "URGESS GUEST SPEAKER AT THE (ONG +ONG 3TUBBS 2OAD !DVENTIST (OSPITAL #HURCH (ONG +ONG #HINA
!$6 %. 4) 3 4 ,) &% ) M JUST A LITTLE OLD YEAR OLD WIDOW AND WITH THE HELP OF THE ,ORD STILL ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF ) EVEN DRIVE MY OWN CAR ) REMEMBER WHEN ) lRST HEARD THE WONDERFUL !DVENTIST MESSAGE ) THOUGHT 4HIS IS THE WAY IT IS AND THIS IS THE WAY YOU HAVE TO LIVE ) SOON LEARNED THAT IT DOESN T WORK QUITE LIKE THATˆIT IS NOT THAT EASY 7HEN THE ROLL IS CALLED UP YONDER WE MAY NOT AS SAD AS IT WILL BE HEAR THE NAMES OF SOME OF OUR PRECIOUS LOVED ONES ) MAY NOT HEAR MY NAME IF ) DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH OIL IN MY LAMP THE (OLY 3PIRIT TO GUIDE ME ALL THE WAY 7HAT CAN ) DO ) EARNESTLY PRAY THAT ) NOT ONLY MAKE IT MYSELF BUT THAT ) GET TO SHAKE THE HAND OF EVERYONE WHOSE NAME IS ON THE CHURCH BOOKS ˆ,EONA -ACY 0ULASKI 6IRGINIA 5NITED 3TATES
! .37 %2 )N #OSTA 2ICA A LITTLE BOY WHO ATTENDS ONE OF OUR !DVENTIST SCHOOLS THERE WARMLY HUGS HIS FRIEND A LITTLE SPOTTED DOG