Konner Dent Journalism Portfolio
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Konner Dent
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A Journey To Healing and Understanding A
Lake Union Herald November/December 2016
s part of the ongoing conversation on mission and culture, the Lake Union Conference hosted “Journey to Healing and Understanding,” a formal discussion about race relations within the Adventist church. The event, a follow up to Lake Union Conference President Don Livesay’s apology
for the failings of the church, delivered at last year’s Lake Region Conference’s camp meeting, was held at the Village Church on Saturday, October 1.
The opening panel, moderated by Livesay, included: Executive Secretary of the Lake Union Conference Maurice Valentine III,
Lake Region Conference President R. Clifford Jones, and Andrews University President Andrea Luxton. An additional Q&A program also introduced Pastor Taurus Montgomery of the Harbor of Hope church; Andrews professors Hyveth Williams and Nicholas Miller; pastor of the Capitol City Church in Indianapolis William Lee; and Carmelo Mercado, vice president of the Lake Union Conference.
During the first half of the program, Luxton apologized for the racism displayed at Andrews University in past years. “As an organization
of Andrews university, we have been guilty of racial bias, of making African-Americans and minorities feel less than. We have not always listened well, we have not always been sensitive, and have not always taken action when action should have been taken. And for that, I’m very sorry.” She continued, “It’s not good enough to see ourselves mirroring the challenges and conflicts of society at our point in history. As Christians – as Seventhday Adventists – we must always have greater expectations of ourselves. We never have an excuse to devalue or make assumptions of someone because of their race. We have no excuse not to be open to understanding of our own sinfulness and bias.”
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the Seventh-day Adventist church is wanting to get to the
audience concern seemed to be what was going to
Miller detailed Andrews’ history in segregation and
place where they are experiencing true reconciliation,
happen next. “Can we implement what we just talked
times where the residual effects of Jim Crow laws
it starts with the people at the top.” In regards to
about?” asked Clifford Allen, an attendee from the
affected the campus, such as when black students were
continuing the discussion, Carmelo Mercado stated
Niles Philadelphia Adventist Church, “And, what is the
forced to wait outside the cafeteria until enough people
that four similar convocations were in development for
plan to move forward?”
had arrived to fill a segregated table.
Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis. “The
One moment that elicited thunderous applause and
majority of our baptisms are multi-ethnic,” he said. “How
brought many in the congregation to their feet was
do we learn about each other? We go and talk to, listen
when Montgomery said, “Black people did not create the
to, and embrace each other.”
race problem. I, speaking for black people in general,
have some things that I need to repent of, but the
gills sanctuary was generally positive, punctuated with
conversation has to start with white male leadership…If
rounds of applause and standing ovations. The biggest
In the second half of the program, Nicholas
Overall, the response from the filled-to-the-
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Perspectives On Death tt
11/25/15
T
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he Seventh-day Adventist belief on the soul’s
“The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of
actions after death is primarily characterized
the Almighty hath given me life.” Conversely, when
by its lack of action. The verse primarily referenced
an individual dies – when the breath of life leaves
is Genesis 2:7, which states, “And the Lord God
them – they cease to remain a soul and return to
formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed
dust.
into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became
a living soul.” According to this verse, a soul is
(the official compilation of beliefs accepted by its
formed when dust is given God’s breath of life. God
members),“Though the body returns to dust, the
doesn’t give man a soul, but rather makes him one.
spirit returns to God. Solomon said that at death
Elihu seconds this motion by stating in Job 33:4
“the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the
To cite Seventh-day Adventists Believe…
spirit will return to God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7). This is true of all, both the righteous and the wicked.
Many have thought that this text gives
evidence that the essence of the person continues to
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
live after death. But in the Bible neither the Hebrew nor the Greek term for spirit (ruach and pneuma, respectively) refers to an intelligent entity capable of
This was a project I was offered to do by a friend who runs an interfaith theology blog. The article compared the how different denominations interpreted death, the afterlife, and the human soul, and I was to cover the Seventh-day Adventist perspective. Communicating the topic neutrally with a group of theologians of a varying faiths was different, but none the less fantastic.
a conscious existence apart from the body. Rather, these terms refer to the “breath”—the spark of life essential to individual existence, the life principle that animates animals and human beings. Not surprisingly, the subject of the soul’s post mortem actions is largely tied with topics such as the state of the dead, and the processes of immortality. Seventh-day Adventists equate death with an unconscious sleep, which Christ referenced when referring to the state of Jarius’s daughter and Lazarus. The “Awakening” from this sleep at Christ’s return is best summarized by Paul in 1st Corinthians 15:51-54.
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not
all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this
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From Mission to Mission Envision (Submission) - 2016
“ I was supposed to be a Canadian, but the birth records were destroyed in the war in Egypt.”
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his is the tale of pastor Glenn Russel, an Andrews
even the most longstanding of Andrews professors
professor with a proficiency and passion for
grow on meticulously labeled trees, I give you the life
mission work. Russel has been educating through
and times of Glenn Russel.
Andrews for more than three decades, and is involved
in mission fields across the world. Anyone going on
caused the Russel family to move from Cairo, Egypt
a mission trip through Andrews should get to know
to Beirut. With the documents displaced, Russel’s
Professor Russel, whether their trip is just for spring
parents began working at Middle East College as
break or if collegiate education being abandoned
deans and teachers, while their children “technically”
for a pursuit in a life of missions. Not surprisingly,
became American. “Lebanon was home” reflected
Russel’s journey to Andrews was as sundry as his
Russel, “I viewed myself as an American who lived
passport stamp collection. Lest it be assumed that
in Lebanon, and coming back to the states was
Conflicts surrounding the Suez war
just an extended vacation.” One might think that
it culminated into a classic conversion, as Russel
this cultural limbo would hinder adolescent social
recalled praying, “Lord I want to give you my life and
deviation, since latching onto negative American
want to start fresh.” It was then that the concept of
culture is kind of hard if you have only been their
being a pastor came into play as an occupational option.
twice in your lifetime. However, being an American
made the Lebanese party circuit was easily accessible.
Russel never wanted to be a teacher or a pastor. “I
actually wanted to go into music, become a musician,
As spiritual progress was put on pause, the
Being the son of a teacher and a pastor,
third-culture kid started searching for entertainment.
and play in a band,” he recalled. “It’s probably good
“When I was fourteen [through] sixteen, I was already
not to tell God what you won’t do, because he has a
going to parties and clubs,” Russel reflected. “Lebanon had plenty of clubs… and being a foreigner, you could easily get in places [where] you were under
“Marry someone who will help you get into heaven.”
aged.” “I struggled with faith,
sense of humor.” However, music performance was still part of God’s plan, since while touring camps with a praise team, the soon-to-be pastor met his another camp staff which theology majors refer to as a
[and] I wasn’t an atheist in the sense that I thought
“Proverbs 31 woman.” “Always marry someone that is
there wasn’t a God. I thought there was a God, I just
better than you. I married a woman whose spirituality
didn’t want to be bothered.” An Adventist parent in the
I deeply admire. She had a strong devotional life and
United States may threaten to ship their misbehaving
prayer when we met.” Russel happily recalled. “Marry
for 19 years, following 15 years teaching
offspring to the mission field, so what happens when
someone who will help you get into heaven.” Following
at Andrews Academy where he started
a missionary child sparks parental chagrin? They
in the grand old tradition of aspiring pastors, Russel
conducting student mission trips.
move to Pennsylvania. “My mom and dad didn’t say
got engaged and became a theology major. After
it outright, but they did hint that, [I] was leaving that
an upbringing in the mission field, a conversion
whole world, and that it would be a good time for a
after a party lifestyle, training in theology, and the
change.” Under the influence other missionary friends,
all-important clerical accomplishment of promised
spiritual interest was gradually rekindled until finally,
matrimony, every box on the “perfect pastor” checklist
Glenn Russell Pastor Russel has taught at Andrews
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had been marked. And so, a Russel began his career
Russel had already contradicted his adolescent plan to
without showers and hardly any water. The church in
as a truck driver.
not become a pastor, and God and irony both required
Romania taught us so much. The believers were strong
that he become an educator as well. “When we left
after being persecuted.” Though that first trip involved
as he started asking God “Why did I learn all this
seminary, we pulled out of Maplewood and said, “we’re
putting on children’s camps and building, Russel
Greek? Why did I learn all this biblical stuff when
now leaving Andrews and we’re probably never coming
admitted that “we were better at the camps.” Missions
I’m driving a truck? I prepared to be a pastor and yet
back again.’ We now live on Maplewood drive, not far
to Romania improved and continued until Andrews
there is no job for me.” “As a result, the Lord lead me
from the apartment we used to live in.” Apparently,
University called for a teacher, and Russel began short-
to this conclusion: I have called you, others haven’t
Andrews Academy was in need of a bible teacher, and
term missions to Honduras with AU college students.
seen it yet, so you just serve me now.” However,
who better than a pastor conveniently on the other
this did not relocate Russel to preaching for a
side of the country!
term mission trip with Pastor Russel, its unlikely
congregation of windshield bugs. On off days he began
that you will be doing much church building in the
leading Bible studies in his church, asking the pastor
academy from 1985-2000. One fateful day in the time
literal sense. Working with local aids and ministries,
for any work that utilized theology and a willingness to
of Vanilla Ice and JNCO jeans, the youth pastor of PMC
these trips focus primarily on witnessing and
witness. “As I started doing that, it started becoming
poised the idea of a three-week, short-term mission
improving local facilities. “It may come as a shock,
clear that, even if I had to drive a truck for five or ten
trip. “That’s not a mission trip, that’s a vacation!”
but Andrews students don’t have a lot of money.
years…sooner or later, [the] Lord would open the door
Russel remembered himself saying. “I thought it was
Building costs a lot of money. They do have a lot of
for me to become a pastor. That was in mid-January
a joke, but the more he talked about the philosophy
energy though, and all students have something they
and a week or two later, I got hired to be a pastor in
of mission and how you do it makes a difference. You
can teach, which is why we do camps.” A regular day
the Potomac conference in Virginia.”
can do a mission trip that is leisure time, not making
camp involves campers pouring in from the streets
much of an impact, but if you have clear goals and
to an Adventist locale, and filling an extremely old
infamous tradition of aspiring Adventist clerics, the
purpose, it can become worthwhile.” And so began the
bus to the gills with anyone who whishes to attend.
newly-formed Russel family sojourned to Andrews
first of many academy mission trips to Romania, right
Aside from the huge language barrier and a ton of
University, returning four years later to Virginia to
after the fall of communism. “It was rough. There was
improvisation more flexibility, its just like any other
continue ministerial work. However, it should be noted
no email or phone system. We were gone from our
day at camp! “I usually have very little discipline
that Virginia is not Michigan, which is where our story
kids and because of the infrastructure being damaged
issues,” reflected Russel, “since at the end of the
ends. It should be noted though, that the now-Pastor
by communism, there were times we went 4-5 days
day, everyone is too tired!”
“That forced some thinking,” recalled Russel,
So, in keeping of the second most
Russel continued to be a Bible teacher at the
If you happen to find yourself on a short-
This laid-back organization has an effect
from Lebanon sit next to a Kenyan combat club, all
that drives students to perform their best by having
gifts small glimpses of relationships established and
a leader who is both relatable and trustworthy. “He
conquest over cultural barriers.
is very detail-oriented and always has a plan, yet he’s
also flexible and willing to consider any ideas anyone
daintily scrapbooked memories. They mean spiritual
has,” recalled short-term mission veteran Eliana
victories, but also the grim reality that must be faced
Iller a behavioral sciences major and member of
when going “into all the world.” Eliana recalled a
the last mission trip to an orphanage in Honduras.
time when the mother of a child in the orphanage was
“He’s more of a leader by example. He’s not afraid to
unable to communicate with anyone, until repeatedly
stand up and do what is right, but he does it in a way
prayed over. Last summer in Lebanon, a woman came
with so much love. The best way I can describe it is
to the short-term medical clinic, unable to remember
how Christ wants us to handle situations.” Another
how to take medicine capsules. After being assisted,
Honduras trip member, Joses Ngugi, declared, “the
the woman kept returning, claiming the same issue.
biggest characteristic that that he had that made us
After a while, it was revealed that she was in shock,
feel like we were in good hands, was his confidence
after witnessing her family murdered in front of her
in God’s providence. He never made a decision
during the war in Syria. “That is one of things I deeply
without praying first.”
resonate with in missions. You see the raw edge. You
see sin as nasty as it is. You see the ugliness of this
Looking around Pastor Russel’s office,
However, these relationships cut deeper than
the mutual impact between himself and individuals
world, and it makes you get tired of it. But you can also
from every part of the globe is striking. No diploma
see God’s grace and working though the Holy Spirit in
is visible. Education was just a means to a better
mercy. Missions get you on the front lines. You can be
end. Every spare centimeter of shelf space has been
happy with this world if you do missions. You can’t be
converted into a veritable museum. An Egyptian
happy going back to your same old life.”
boat painted with hieroglyphs sits next to pan pipes from Romania and a Zimbabwean elephant with its trunk raised “for good luck”. Muslim prayer beads
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Profile: Jason Miller Student Movement 10/27/15
The relationship between the Seventh-day Adventist religion legal proceedings has typically been a confusing and debated one. When I learned that a friend I had met in high-school had become involved with the political scene in Washington, I was curious about his journey and perspective. What followed was the one of the most interesting interviews, full of accidental protests with Kathy Griffin and selfies with the pope.
A
s an Andrews alumnus, Jason Miller has gone where no Fountianview-graduating, fundamentalist-article writing, vegetarian has gone before, and in the wake of the recent papal visitation, Miller offers an interesting perspective
on what it’s like going form a conservative boarding school in Canada, to the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, establishing an identity at a school where Adventism is conceptually unheard of, and the delicate area where religion and politics successfully intersects.
During the early Bush era when political motives were becoming more approved by Christian audiences,
Miller enrolled at Fountainview Academy in British Columbia. Though it sparked disputes with fellow students, his passion in political and legal matters resulted in a charge from his bible professor Olaf Clausen, who encouraged Miller to follow his governmental interests. “I know that you have this passion for politics and religious freedom and religious liberty,” Miller recalled his teacher saying. “We’re getting to the last days and we really need good people who understand these issues and care about these things to go into government, politics and law.”Graduation landed Miller at Andrews University as a political science major, where he began interviewing senators and working as a research
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assistant for an international law course. After
was going to compromise on and what I wasn’t going
into the political world,” Miller concludes. “If we did
providing the weekly conservative opinion column in
to, and so I took a pretty firm stand on alcohol.”
get more involved, the level of tension in churches
the Student Movement, running for class office, and
“With only a few exceptions, I would stay away from
would increase tremendously, and you would have
a year-long mission trip in Honduras, he graduated
hanging out in a bar.”
some literal splits in divisions.” “But there are
from Andrews and heeded an acceptance letter to the
certain people I have seen [whom] God is guiding,
Columbus School of Law in Washington D.C. “It made
him in the middle of papal visitation, with the pope’s
who have talents, skills, and understand what they
sense, because my profile is perfect for them” recalls
canonization of the 18th-century friar Junípero
believe, and to those people, I say go for it. [If]
Miller on the reasons behind his acceptance. “ I’m a
Serra, the massive 30,000-member mass, and a
God is opening doors and has put you in a good
Seventh-day Adventist, I’m a conservative, [and] my
close encounter with the pope during a parade.
position, take full advantage of it.”
law-school personal statement was all about…coming
“That was one of the most insane experience of my
from a society and religion where politics and law
life,” states Miller. “All of a sudden, the crowd starts
are…questioned.” “I’ve been using my story to prove
cheering, and from around the corner comes the
that idea wrong. “
pope-mobile. My mouth was just agape.” (As for the
rally with Kathy Griffin, Miller said it happened while
Interestingly enough, studying in an
Being at a catholic university did place
ocean of catholic scholars didn’t reveal any grand
he was interning, and was completely accidental. “I
internal skepticism towards Adventism, but rather
was running around D.C., and I see all these people
the lack thereof. “Most people don’t know anything
waving and cheering. Then I hear them yelling “Kathy
about Seventh-day Adventism. What they know
Griffin! Kathy Griffin!” Some guy came up and asked,
about [Adventism], they know from me.” Because
“Can I take your picture?” and as I was chatting with
of this type of influence, standards have to be held
him, he told me that this was a protest for the repeal
tightly. “Most people know I don’t eat meat, and
of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. “)
they defiantly know I don’t drink,” states miller.
“There is a bifurcation between my social life which
description of Mr. Miller’s experience in Washington.
is Adventist, and my academic work life which is
Through political involvement, the alumnus has
non-Adventist. One thing I did do, I put boundaries
cultivated a very centered view of Adventism and
down pretty quickly on what I believed and what I
politics. “I don’t encourage any Adventist to jump
“In the world, not of the world” is a good
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I
nterning is a confusing time period. As a student,
Room
224
you are hanging in the limbo between employment
and scholastics, balancing classes with a new job and
Andrews University Campus News 10/27/15
trying to ignore the fact that paying for internship credits appears to be a little worse than slavery. However, a recent development at Andrew’s School of Business is changing the internship game, by placing a paid, unaffiliated accounting internship right in Chan Shun Hall.
Since December, the accounting firm
Crowe and Horwath has operated the paid, 3-month internship out of office room 224 in the School of Business. “We came up with this idea last fall,” states CPA advisor and Andrews alumnus Paul Smith. “My colleague who runs the group I’m in came up with the idea and we started reaching out to different universities last fall. I reached out to Andrews and they said, “We think we can give you some space.’”
In the span of four months, the accounting
internship had been established, with students working on campus instead of from Crowe’s South Bend office. “Obviously, Crowe is happy to be on campus and get the publicity of offering internships for recruiting purposes, but also it’s a win for the students as well because instead of having to commute into the office every day, basically they can
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walk across the room, go to class, and then come
we were at Crowe, since everyone at Crowe instant
back and keep working.”
messages each other anyway,” reflects accounting
School of Business dean Ralph Trecartin spoke
graduate Abigail Tejeda, “I almost talk to them
positively and hoped that similar opportunities would
campus, unaffiliated internship convenient, it also
more now that I am away.” Melissa Ruhupatty,
develop in other fields of business. “Our job is to
more closely resembles an accounting job in the
an international business major with a minor in
educate well, but also prepare students for the job
digital age. According to Smith, Crowe implemented
accounting, expressed similar sentiments. “I like
market. The wave right now is to have a lot more
a new mobility strategy, which allows employees to do
it better. At the office its so quiet all the time and
internship and experiential learning, mixed in with
work from their own locations and set up their client
everyone is in their cubicles. Here its less scary,
academic learning. this is where we need to move,
meeting locations in areas where office space would
more communal, and even though we are working
for all of our students, not just 2 or 3. It’s a little
be at a premium. Students in office room 224 work on
here, we’re still talking to people outside. We still talk
piece of something really big that needs to happen,
lower-risk accounting assignments for clients, while
to field team people, which are crow employees out at
but its still pretty big.”
supervisors work beside to assist if needed.
the companies we are auditing, [and] we still talk to
some of or supervisors which are back in the office.”
Not only is the development of an on-
Along with setting up the on-campus
office, Smith also negotiated a $10,000 donation to
the school of business for the privilege of on-sight
communication management major, summarized
connections. “I wanted Crowe to make a donation and
his approval as well. “One of the things I really
pay essentially for this privilege, because its putting
enjoy about this internship is that I am able to
us in a very good position in terms of recruiting
do it during school, and a lot of the focus in this
students. I’m kind of first in line now, and I think that
internship is just building your experience and
just being in that position Crowe need to acknowledge
exposure to different processes you would encounter
the benefit they are being given, and we are in your
when working for a public accounting firm. It’s
space, so we should be paying rent”
experiencing a typical day at work. I really enjoy it
because it’s allowed me to get a lot of experience
Surprisingly, even inter-company
In regards to the future of the program,
Josh Stall, an accounting and
networking hasn’t been hindered by the 27-mile
even when I’m in college because its something I
separation from the South Bend Office. “I wouldn’t
can do during the school year instead of putting
say we lost a lot of communication compared to when
everything on pause until summer.”
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The Christian Relationship to Fiction
Student Movement 3-5-17
F
iction fits into that gray area of unanswered Adventist controversy that seemed super important in High School. An apparent brick in the dividing wall between conservative and liberal camps, the topic seemed to gain importance whenever a young adult novel got
adapted into a movie, causing parents to remember that children can read. With the ever-polarizing Harry Potter series celebrating its 20th anniversary, it’s a good time to address the dividing topic of a Christian’s relationship to fiction, which starts with addressing the two differing sides.
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In one camp lies those who oppose fictional literature. Untrue stories,
aside for the parables of Jesus, Bunyan, Aesop, and Uncle Arthur, are lies no matter how they are dressed up. Even though there may be a message or “lesson” found at the end of a novel, the end does not justify the means. This view is backed by Ellen White’s commentary in Messages to Young People, which declares, “Love stories, frivolous and exciting tales, and even that class of
“
The problem that both sides face in saying “fiction is good” or “fiction is bad” , is that it places a rule where a brain should be used instead.
books called religious novels—books in which the author attaches to his story a moral lesson—are a curse to the readers. Religious sentiments may be woven all through a storybook, but, in most cases, Satan is but clothed in angel-robes, the more effectively to deceive and allure.” (272)
In approval of fiction, readers of differing opinion point to
the portion not covered in the “in most cases” as a justification. Though mainstream fiction admittedly has its flaws, the lessons found in the aforementioned parables are available through other authors as well. The religious allegories of Narnia, good/evil dichotomy of Tolkien’s stories, and the contextual insight that historical fiction prove that the category of “fiction” isn’t all vampire romance and wizarding plot conveniences. Even darker and morally dubious pieces like The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones can be
When it comes to literature, “good” does not mean
“real” and “bad” does not mean “fictional”. However, there are fields of writing where such sentiments are true, as science, journalism, and theology. Here, things are good when they are true and bad when they are fictitious, and where the Christian’s focus eliminating them should be placed. No matter how problematic steamy pulp fiction or a novel about supernatural teenagers may be, a greater danger occurs when infractions on the truth infiltrate religious doctrine, scientific writing, historical analysis, and news reporting. I believe this is the Christian’s most important relationship to fiction – to spot its damage not only when it is marked in the “fiction” section of a bookstore or library, but also when it sneaks into things that are supposed to be. To quote Proverbs 14:15, “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” (NIV) As problematic as the Harry Potter series was for the Christian community, it pales in comparison to the damage done by “The Origin of The Species.”
gleaned for their social commentary – warning readers of what not to do while illustrating why it might be tempting.
The problem that both sides face in saying “fiction is good”
or “fiction is bad” , is that it places a rule where a brain should be used instead. In her colorful warning against novels, Aunt Ellen doesn’t say that fiction should be avoided because it simply isn’t true and could be deceiving someone or braking the 9th commandment. Instead, her cautions are against the content of the stories and how they affect the devotional process. It could be that a fictional story like Pilgrim’s Progress or The Shack helps strengthen spiritual understanding, while a very true war story or Kardashian autobiography could to just the opposite.
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The Writers Desk: Envision 2017
On October 6, 2016, the Adventist News Network released a report, stating that General Conference leaders considered voting Adventist Education into a spot as the 29th Fundamental Belief: 18
True Education Though it still remains unclear what the institution of the proposed 29th belief will look like, many members are on board with its inclusion. After all, if “true education” is such a pinnacle of the Adventist faith, why shouldn’t it be written into its guidelines? At Envision Magazine, we as writers have a variety of school situations under our collective belts, including public high schools and colleges, Adventist equivalents, awkward homeschool years, and wacky unaffiliated Adventist offshoot institutions. With Adventist education stepping into our faith’s limelight, we found it necessary to sit down with “True Education” (the work by Ellen White) and figure out what “true education” (the concept) strives to be. “Every human being, created in the image of God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator – individuality, power to think and to do.” Education. For us, at Envision, we feel like this quote sums up exactly what we think true education is. It depends on that of the individual and there needs. Every person is created unique. Some learn quick, while others take a little longer to grasp certain ideas.
There’s nothing wrong with that, we all learn at our own pace. We feel as though true education isn’t based on a certain title, or religion. True education is that which meets the needs of the student, whatever that may be. God imparts wisdom upon each individual. With that knowledge, it helps mold and create us into the person God wants us to be. He can teach us and mold us not just in school buildings, but anywhere He chooses. His wisdom doesn’t stop molding us if we decide to go to non-Christian school. True education can also be found outside the classroom. Some of the most useful things one can learn can’t be learned in a book. Real world experience is a great form of true education in our eyes. Different experiences and personalities will determine our needs as learners. True education is in the eyes of the learners. Every Adventist institution claims to institute “true education” – a term for holistic education coined in the Ellen White document of the same name. However, the variety found across different Adventist schools, outside different occupational training, communicates that there are many different ways to interpreted True Education.
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Is it more student freedom? Is it mandated exercise and worships? Is it diversity in opinion and lifestyle or unity in one goal? Both Conservative offshoots and affiliated schools will agree that most implementation of true education starts in the scholastic realm, and then radiates into the aspects of spiritual and physical education. So how do we interpret “True Education”? How is this fantastic document to be read so its not a veneer to advertise a school to Christians or a way bend students to a teacher’s lifestyle ideals? As an institution, this work should be read in favor of the students. When White says that True Education “strengthens the character, so that truth and uprightness are not sacrificed to selfish desire or worldly ambition,” this isn’t for the sake of a teacher’s beliefs, a marketable strategy, or even in hopes of “God’s blessing.” True education is for the best of the student, while they are in school and when they leave. When reading the book by the same name, this outcome should be kept in mind. That is where the conflict lies. Though Adventist education should always strive towards true education, for some
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students, “true education” might happen at home or at a public school. Perhaps an alternative would be instituting true education as the 29th fundamental belief, or establishing Adventist education as family upbringing or religious education through the church. Though its interpretation and institution are, and may always be, under development, a literal equivalence between membership and school attendance seems to limit true education by mandating Adventist education.
The Loma Linda Project A weekly serial cooking series where classic Adventist recipes are experimented with and improved with varied success.
A documentary where the nutritional effects of adventist vegetarian staples were compared with real meat, with surprising results.
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Konner Dent konnerdent@gmail.com 269-519-0431
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