In America the President reigns for four years, and Journalism governs forever and ever.
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A journey to Healing and Understanding - - - - - - - - - - - - - 6 The Seventh-day Adventist Perspective on Death - - - - - - 8 From Mission to Mission - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10 Jason Miller Profile - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14 Room 224 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 16 The Christian Relationship to Fiction - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 18 True Education - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 20
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A Journey to Healing and Understanding Lake Union Herald Vol. 109, Issue no.6
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s part of the ongoing conversation on mission and
During the first half of the program, Luxton
culture, the Lake Union Conference hosted “Journey to
apologized for the racism displayed at Andrews University
Healing and Understanding,” a formal discussion about race
in past years. “As an organization of Andrews university,
relations within the Adventist church. The event, a follow up
we have been guilty of racial bias, of making African-
to Lake Union Conference President Don Livesay’s apology
Americans and minorities feel less than. We have not
for the failings of the church, delivered at last year’s Lake
always listened well, we have not always been sensitive, and
Region Conference’s camp meeting, was held at the Village
have not always taken action when action should have been
Church on Saturday, October 1.
taken. And for that, I’m very sorry.” She continued, “It’s
not good enough to see ourselves mirroring the challenges
The opening panel, moderated by Livesay,
and conflicts of society at our point in history. As
Conference Maurice Valentine III, Lake Region Conference
Christians – as Seventh-day Adventists – we must always
President R. Clifford Jones, and Andrews University
have greater expectations of ourselves. We never have
President Andrea Luxton. An additional Q&A program
an excuse to devalue or make assumptions of someone
also introduced Pastor Taurus Montgomery of the Harbor
because of their race. We have no excuse not to be open to
of Hope church; Andrews professors Hyveth Williams
understanding of our own sinfulness and bias.”
and Nicholas Miller; pastor of the Capitol City Church
In the second half of the program, Nicholas Miller
in Indianapolis William Lee; and Carmelo Mercado, vice
detailed Andrews’ history in segregation and times where the
president of the Lake Union Conference.
residual effects of Jim Crow laws affected the campus, such as
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included: Executive Secretary of the Lake Union
when black students were forced to wait outside the cafeteria
of applause and standing ovations. The biggest audience
until enough people had arrived to fill a segregated table.
concern seemed to be what was going to happen next. “Can
One moment that elicited thunderous applause
we implement what we just talked about?” asked Clifford
and brought many in the congregation to their feet was
Allen, an attendee from the Niles Philadelphia Adventist
when Montgomery said, “Black people did not create the
Church, “And, what is the plan to move forward?”
race problem. I, speaking for black people in general, have some things that I need to repent of, but the conversation has to start with white male leadership…If the Seventhday Adventist church is wanting to get to the place where they are experiencing true reconciliation, it starts with the people at the top.” In regards to continuing the discussion, Carmelo Mercado stated that four similar convocations were in development for Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis. “The majority of our baptisms are multi-ethnic,” he said. “How do we learn about each other? We go and talk to, listen to, and embrace each other.”
Overall, the response from the filled-to-the-gills
sanctuary was generally positive, punctuated with rounds
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Perspectives on Death Conciliar Post
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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 varying faiths was nothing less than fantastic
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he Seventh-day Adventist belief on the soul’s actions after death is primarily characterized by its lack of action. The verse primarily referenced is Genesis 2:7, which states, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” According to this verse, a soul is formed when dust is given God’s breath of life. God doesn’t give man a soul, but rather makes him one. Elihu seconds this motion by stating in Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” Conversely, when an individual dies – when the breath of life leaves them – they cease to remain a soul and return to dust.
To cite Seventh-day Adventists Believe… (the official compilation of beliefs accepted by its members),“Though the
body returns to dust, the spirit returns to God. Solomon said that at death “the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the 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 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 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 mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
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From Mission to Mission
The Glenn Russel Story Envision Magazine - Issue no.9 (Submission)
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“ I was supposed to be a Canadian, but the birth records were destroyed in the war in Egypt.”
his is the story of pastor Glenn Russel begins. An
journey to Andrews was as sundry as his passport
Andrews professor with a proficiency and passion
stamp collection. Lest it be assumed that even the most
for mission work, Russel has been educating through
longstanding of Andrews professors grow on meticulously
Andrews for more than three decades, and is involved
labeled trees, I give you the life and times of Glenn Russel.
in mission fields across the world. Anyone going on
a mission trip through Andrews should get to know
Russel family to move from Cairo, Egypt to Beirut.
Professor Russel, whether their trip is just for spring
With the documents displaced, Russel’s parents
break or if collegiate education being abandoned for a
began working at Middle East College as deans and
pursuit in a life of missions. Not surprisingly, Russel’s
teachers, while their children “technically” became
Conflicts surrounding the Suez war caused the
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American. “Lebanon was home” reflected Russel, “I
As spiritual progress was put on pause, the third-
viewed myself as an American who lived in Lebanon,
culture kid started searching for entertainment. “When
and coming back to the states was just an extended
I was fourteen [through] sixteen, I was already going
vacation.” One might think that this cultural limbo
to parties and clubs,” Russel reflected. “Lebanon had
would hinder adolescent social deviation, since latching
plenty of clubs… and being a foreigner, you could easily
onto negative American culture is kind of hard if you
get in places [where] you were under aged.” “I struggled
have only been their twice in your lifetime. However,
with faith, [and] I wasn’t an atheist in the sense that I
being an American made the Lebanese party circuit
thought there wasn’t a God. I thought there was a God, I
was easily accessible.
just didn’t want to be bothered.” An Adventist parent in
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the United States may threaten to ship their misbehaving
serve me now.” However, this did not relocate Russel to
offspring to the mission field, so what happens when a
preaching for a congregation of windshield bugs. On off
missionary child sparks parental chagrin? They move to
days he began leading Bible studies in his church, asking
Pennsylvania. “My mom and dad didn’t say it outright,
the pastor for any work that utilized theology and a
but they did hint that, [I] was leaving that whole world,
willingness to witness. “As I started doing that, it started
and that it would be a good time for a change.” Under
becoming clear that, even if I had to drive a truck for five
the influence other missionary friends, spiritual interest
or ten years…sooner or later, [the] Lord would open the
was gradually rekindled until finally, it culminated into
door for me to become a pastor. That was in mid-January
a classic conversion, as Russel recalled praying, “Lord I
and a week or two later, I got hired to be a pastor in the
want to give you my life and want to start fresh.” It was
Potomac conference in Virginia.”
then that the concept of being a pastor came into play as
an occupational option.
of aspiring Adventist clerics, the newly-formed Russel family
sojourned to Andrews University, returning four years later
Being the son of a teacher and a pastor, Russel
So, in keeping of the second most infamous tradition
never wanted to be a teacher or a pastor. “I actually wanted
to Virginia to continue ministerial work. However, it should
to go into music, become a musician, and play in a band,”
be noted that Virginia is not Michigan, which is where our
he recalled. “It’s probably good not to tell God what you
story ends. It should be noted though, that the now-Pastor
won’t do, because he has a sense of humor.” However,
Russel had already contradicted his adolescent plan to not
music performance was still part of God’s plan, since while
become a pastor, and God and irony both required that
touring camps with a praise team, the soon-to-be pastor
he become an educator as well. “When we left seminary,
met his another camp staff which theology majors refer to
we pulled out of Maplewood and said, “we’re now leaving
as a “Proverbs 31 woman.” “Always marry someone that
Andrews and we’re probably never coming back again.’ We
is better than you. I married a woman whose spirituality I
now live on Maplewood drive, not far from the apartment we
deeply admire. She had a strong devotional life and prayer
used to live in.” Apparently, Andrews Academy was in need
when we met.” Russel happily recalled. “Marry someone
of a bible teacher, and who better than a pastor conveniently
who will help you get into heaven.” Following in the grand
on the other side of the country!
old tradition of aspiring pastors, Russel got engaged and
became a theology major. After an upbringing in the
academy from 1985-2000. One fateful day in the time
mission field, a conversion after a party lifestyle, training
of Vanilla Ice and JNCO jeans, the youth pastor of PMC
in theology, and the all-important clerical accomplishment
poised the idea of a three-week, short-term mission trip.
of promised matrimony, every box on the “perfect pastor”
“That’s not a mission trip, that’s a vacation!” Russel
checklist had been marked. And so, a Russel began his
remembered himself saying. “I thought it was a joke,
career as a truck driver.
but the more he talked about the philosophy of mission
and how you do it makes a difference. You can do a
“That forced some thinking,” recalled Russel, as
Russel continued to be a Bible teacher at the
he started asking God “Why did I learn all this Greek?
mission trip that is leisure time, not making much of
Why did I learn all this biblical stuff when I’m driving a
an impact, but if you have clear goals and purpose, it
truck? I prepared to be a pastor and yet there is no job
can become worthwhile.” And so began the first of many
for me.” “As a result, the Lord lead me to this conclusion:
academy mission trips to Romania, right after the fall
I have called you, others haven’t seen it yet, so you just
of communism. “It was rough. There was no email or
phone system. We were gone from our kids and because
situations.” Another Honduras trip member, Joses
of the infrastructure being damaged by communism,
Ngugi, declared, “the biggest characteristic that he had
there were times we went 4-5 days without showers
that made us feel like we were in good hands, was his
and hardly any water. The church in Romania taught
confidence in God’s providence. He never made a decision
us so much. The believers were strong after being
without praying first.”
persecuted.” Though that first trip involved putting on
children’s camps and building, Russel admitted that
impact between himself and individuals from every part
“we were better at the camps.” Missions to Romania
of the globe is striking. No diploma is visible. Education
improved and continued until Andrews University called
was just a means to a better end. Every spare centimeter
for a teacher, and Russel began short-term missions to
of shelf space has been converted into a veritable
Honduras with AU college students.
museum. An Egyptian boat painted with hieroglyphs
sits next to pan pipes from Romania and a Zimbabwean
If you happen to find yourself on a short-term
Looking around Pastor Russel’s office, the mutual
mission trip with Pastor Russel, its unlikely that you
elephant with its trunk raised “for good luck”. Muslim
will be doing much church building in the literal sense.
prayer beads from Lebanon sit next to a Kenyan combat
Working with local aids and ministries, these trips focus
club, all gifts small glimpses of relationships established
primarily on witnessing and improving local facilities. “It
and conquest over cultural barriers.
may come as a shock, but Andrews students don’t have a
lot of money. Building costs a lot of money. They do have
daintily scrapbooked memories. They mean spiritual
a lot of energy though, and all students have something
victories, but also the grim reality that must be faced
they can teach, which is why we do camps.” A regular day
when going “into all the world.” Eliana recalled a time
camp involves campers pouring in from the streets to an
when the mother of a child in the orphanage was unable
Adventist locale, and filling an extremely old bus to the
to communicate with anyone, until repeatedly prayed over.
gills with anyone who whishes to attend. Aside from the
Last summer in Lebanon, a woman came to the short-
huge language barrier and a ton of improvisation more
term medical clinic, unable to remember how to take
flexibility, its just like any other day at camp! “I usually
medicine capsules. After being assisted, the woman kept
have very little discipline issues,” reflected Russel, “since
returning, claiming the same issue. After a while, it was
at the end of the day, everyone is too tired!”
revealed that she was in shock, after witnessing her family
murdered in front of her during the war in Syria. “That
This laid-back organization has an effect that
However, these relationships cut deeper than
drives students to perform their best by having a leader
is one of things I deeply resonate with in missions. You
who is both relatable and trustworthy. “He is very
see the raw edge. You see sin as nasty as it is. You see the
detail-oriented and always has a plan, yet he’s also flexible
ugliness of this world, and it makes you get tired of it. But
and willing to consider any ideas anyone has,” recalled
you can also see God’s grace and working though the Holy
short-term mission veteran Eliana Iller a behavioral
Spirit in mercy. Missions get you on the front lines. You
sciences major and member of the last mission trip to
can be happy with this world if you do missions. You can’t
an orphanage in Honduras. “He’s more of a leader by
be happy going back to your same old life.”
example. He’s not afraid to stand up and do what is right, but he does it in a way with so much love. The best
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way I can describe it is how Christ wants us to handle
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Profile: Jason Miller The Student Movement Vol.100, Issue no.8
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IA
t’s hard to find many Seventh-day Adventists making their careers in D.C. politics, with the exception of the occasional neuros an Andrews alumnus, Jason has where no Fountianview-graduating, surgeon. It’s uncommon to find themMiller working as gone ground security for a papal parade, assisting fundamentalist-article with a 30,000 member mass, or
writing,showing vegetarian goneDon’t before, and in the the Kathy recentGriffin, papal though visitation, an interesting “accidentally” up tohas a repeal Ask, Don’t Tell wake protestofwith that Miller has its offers exceptions as well. perspective what it’s like going conservative school in Canada, fundamentalist-article to the Catholic University As an on Andrews alumnus, Jasonform Millera has gone whereboarding no Fountianview-graduating, writing,ofvegetarAmerica Columbus School Law,ofestablishing an identity atMiller a school where Adventism is conceptually of, ian has gone before, and in theofwake the recent papal visitation, offers an interesting perspective on whatunheard it’s like going and delicate area whereschool religion and politics intersects. form the a conservative boarding in Canada, to the successfully Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, establishing an During the early era when political motives were more approved by Christian audiences, Miller identity at a school whereBush Adventism is conceptually unheard of, becoming and how Adventism and politics can successfully intersect. enrolled at Fountainview Academy Britishmotives Columbia. it sparked disputes with fellow students, his passion in During the early Bush era wheninpolitical wereThough becoming more approved by Christian audiences, Miller enrolled at political and legal matters resulted in a charge his bible professor Olaf Clausen, encouraged Miller follow his Fountainview Academy in British Columbia. Thoughfrom it sparked disputes with fellow students, who his passion in political andtolegal matters governmental interests. “I know that you Olaf haveClausen, this passion for politicsMiller and religious freedom and religious liberty,” resulted in a charge from his bible professor who encouraged to follow his governmental interests. “I knowMiller that you recalled teacher saying.and “We’re getting to the days and we really good understand these to issues have this his passion for politics religious freedom andlast religious liberty,” Millerneed recalled hispeople teacherwho saying. “We’re getting the last and about to gowho intounderstand government, politics landedtoMiller Andrews University a days care and we reallythese needthings good people these issuesand and law.”Graduation care about these things go intoatgovernment, politics andaslaw.” political science major, began interviewing working aswhere a research assistant for ansenators international law Graduation landedwhere Miller he at Andrews University assenators a politicaland science major, he began interviewing and working course. Afterassistant providing weekly conservative opinion column inthe theweekly Student Movement, running forinclass office, and a as a research forthe an international law course. After providing conservative opinion column the Student Moveyear-long mission trip office, in Honduras, he graduated and an from acceptance to the Columbus School ment, running for class and a year-long missionfrom trip inAndrews Honduras, heheeded graduated Andrewsletter and heeded an acceptance letter of LawColumbus in Washington sense, D.C. because my profile is perfect them” recallsforMiller the reasons his to the School D.C. of Law“Itinmade Washington “It made sense, because myfor profile is perfect them”onrecalls Miller onbehind the reasons acceptance. “ I’m a Seventh-day Adventist, I’m a conservative, [and][and] my law-school personal statement behind his acceptance. “ I’m a Seventh-day Adventist, I’m a conservative, my law-school personal statementwas wasall allabout…coming about…coming from a society and religion where politics and law are…questioned.” “I’ve been using my story to prove that idea from a society and religion where politics and law are…questioned.” “I’ve been using my story to prove that idea wrong. “ wrong. “ Interestingly enough,studying studyingininan anocean oceanofofcatholic catholicscholars scholarsdidn’t didn’t reveal grand internal skepticism towards Interestingly enough, reveal anyany grand internal skepticism towards Adventism, but rather ratherthe thelack lackthereof. thereof.“Most “Mostpeople peopledon’t don’tknow knowanything anything about Seventh-day Adventism. What know Adventism, but about Seventh-day Adventism. What theythey know about about [Adventism], theyfrom knowme.” from me.” Because of this type of influence, standards be held“Most tightly. “Most people [Adventism], they know Because of this type of influence, standards have to behave heldtotightly. people know I know I don’t eat meat, and they defiantly know I don’t drink,” states miller. “There is a bifurcation between my social life don’t eat meat, and they defiantly know I don’t drink,” states miller. “There is a bifurcation between my social life which is which is Adventist, and my academic work life which is non-Adventist. I did do, I put boundaries pretty Adventist, and my academic work life which is non-Adventist. One thing IOne did thing do, I put boundaries down pretty down quickly on what I quickly andtowhat I was going to compromise and what I wasn’t going to, and I tookona alcohol.” pretty firm believedon andwhat whatI believed I was going compromise on and what I wasn’tongoing to, and so I took a pretty firmsostand “With stand “With only stay a fewaway exceptions, I wouldout stay only a on fewalcohol.” exceptions, I would from hanging in aaway bar.”from hanging out in a bar.” Being at aa catholic catholicuniversity universitydid didplace placehim him middle of papal visitation, the pope’s canonization the Being at in in thethe middle of papal visitation, withwith the pope’s canonization of theof18th-cen18th-century friar Junípero the30,000-member massive 30,000-member and a closewith encounter theapope during parade. tury friar Junípero Serra, theSerra, massive mass, and amass, close encounter the popewith during parade. “Thata was one “That was one of the most insane my life,” Miller.the “Allcrowd of a sudden, the crowd cheering, from of the most insane experience of myexperience life,” statesofMiller. “All states of a sudden, starts cheering, andstarts from around theand corner around thepope-mobile. corner comes pope-mobile. My mouth was agape.” (As for the rally with Griffin,while Miller comes the My the mouth was just agápe.” (As for thejust rally with Kathy Griffin, Miller saidKathy it happened he said was it internhappened while he was interning, and was completely accidental. “I was running around D.C., and I see all these people ing, and was completely accidental. “I was running around D.C., and I see all these people waving and cheering. Then I hear them waving“Kathy and cheering. Then IGriffin!” hear them yelling “Kathy Kathy Griffin!” Some guy came “Can I take yelling Griffin! Kathy Some guy came upGriffin! and asked, “Can I take your picture?” andup as and I wasasked, chatting with him, he your picture?” I was chatting with him, he told thatTell. this“)was a protest for the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. “) told me that thisand wasasa protest for the repeal of Don’t Ask,me Don’t “In the world, world,not notofofthe theworld” world”is isa good a good description of Mr. Miller’s experience in Washington. Through “In the description of Mr. Miller’s experience in Washington. Through political involvepolitical involvement, the alumnus has cultivated a very centered view of Adventism and politics. “I don’t encourage ment, the alumnus has cultivated a very centered view of Adventism and politics. “I don’t encourage any Adventist to jump any Adventist jump into theconcludes. political world,” Miller concludes. “If the we level did get more involved, the would level ofincrease tensiontremenin into the politicaltoworld,” Miller “If we did get more involved, of tension in churches churches increase andinyou would have splits people in divisions.” “But[whom] there are dously, andwould you would havetremendously, some literal splits divisions.” “Butsome thereliteral are certain I have seen God certain is guiding, people I have seenskills, [whom] is guiding, talents, skills, understand what believe, and todoors thoseand who have talents, and God understand whatwho theyhave believe, and to thoseand people, I say go for it. they [If] God is opening people, sayingoa for [If] Godtake is opening doors and has put you in a good position, take full advantage of it.” has put Iyou goodit.position, full advantage of it.”
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Room 224 I
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Andrews University Student News
nterning is a confusing time period. As a student,
Since December, the accounting firm Crowe and
you are hanging in the limbo between employment
Horwath has operated the paid, 3-month internship
and scholastics, balancing classes with a new job and
out of office room 224 in the School of Business. “We
trying to ignore the fact that paying for internship
came up with this idea last fall,” states CPA advisor
credits appears to be a little worse than slavery.
and Andrews alumnus Paul Smith. “My colleague who
However, a recent development at Andrew’s School of
runs the group I’m in came up with the idea and we
Business is changing the internship game, by placing
started reaching out to different universities last fall.
a paid, unaffiliated accounting internship right in
I reached out to Andrews and they said, “We think we
Chan Shun Hall.
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 walk across the room, go to class, and then come back and keep working.”
Not only is the development of an on-campus,
unaffiliated internship convenient, it also more closely resembles an accounting job in the digital age. According to Smith, Crowe implemented a new mobility strategy, which allows employees to do work from their own locations and set up their client meeting locations in areas where office space would be at a premium. Students in office room 224 work on lower-risk
Here its less scary, more communal, and even though we are working here, we’re still talking to people outside. We still talk to field team people, which are crow employees out at the companies we are auditing, [and] we still talk to some of or supervisors which are back in the office.”
Josh Stall, an accounting and communication
management major, summarized his approval as well. “One of the things I really enjoy about this internship is that I am able to do it during school, and a lot of the focus in this internship is just building your experience and exposure to different processes you would encounter when working for a public accounting firm. It’s experiencing a typical day at work. I really enjoy it because it’s allowed me to get a lot of experience even when I’m in college because its something I can do during the school year instead of putting everything on pause until summer.”
In regards to the future of the program, School
accounting assignments for clients, while supervisors
of Business dean Ralph Trecartin spoke positively and
work beside to assist if needed. Along with setting up the on-campus office,
hoped that similar opportunities would develop in other fields of business. “Our job is to educate well, but also
Smith also negotiated a $10,000 donation to the school
prepare students for the job market. The wave right
of business for the privilege of on-sight connections. “I
now is to have a lot more internship and experiential
wanted Crowe to make a donation and pay essentially
learning, mixed in with academic learning. this is
for this privilege, because its putting us in a very good
where we need to move, for all of our students, not just
position in terms of recruiting students. I’m kind of first in
2 or 3. It’s a little piece of something really big that
line now, and I think that just being in that position Crowe
needs to happen, but its still pretty big.”
need to acknowledge the benefit they are being given, and we are in your space, so we should be paying rent”
Surprisingly, even inter-company networking hasn’t
been hindered by the 27-mile separation from the South Bend Office. “I wouldn’t say we lost a lot of communication compared to when we were at Crowe, since everyone at Crowe instant messages each other anyway,” reflects accounting graduate Abigail Tejeda, “I almost talk to them more now that I am away.” Melissa Ruhupatty, an international business major with a minor in accounting, expressed similar sentiments. “I like it better. At the office its so quiet all the time and everyone is in their cubicles.
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The Christian Relationship to Fiction The Student Movement
F
iction fits into that gray area of unanswered
tales, and even that class of books called religious
Adventist controversy that seemed super important
novels—books in which the author attaches to his story
in High School. An apparent brick in the dividing
a moral lesson—are a curse to the readers. Religious
wall between conservative and liberal camps, the
sentiments may be woven all through a storybook, but,
topic seemed to gain importance whenever a young
in most cases, Satan is but clothed in angel-robes, the
adult novel got adapted into a movie, causing parents
more effectively to deceive and allure.” (272)
to remember that children can read. With the ever-
polarizing Harry Potter series celebrating its 20th
point to the portion not covered in the “in most cases”
anniversary, it’s a good time to address the dividing
as a justification. Though mainstream fiction admittedly
topic of a Christian’s relationship to fiction, which
has its flaws, the lessons found in the aforementioned
starts with addressing the two differing sides.
parables are available through other authors as well.
In one camp lies those who oppose fictional
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In approval of fiction, readers of differing opinion
literature. Untrue stories, aside for the parables of
The religious allegories of Narnia, good/evil dichotomy
Jesus, Bunyan, Aesop, and Uncle Arthur, are lies no
historical fiction prove that the category of “fiction” isn’t
matter how they are dressed up. Even though there may
all vampire romance and wizarding plot conveniences.
be a message or “lesson” found at the end of a novel, the
Even darker and morally dubious pieces like The
end does not justify the means. This view is backed by
Hunger Games and Game of Thrones can be gleaned for
Ellen White’s commentary in Messages to Young People,
their social commentary – warning readers of what not
which declares, “Love stories, frivolous and exciting
to do while illustrating why it might be tempting.
of Tolkien’s stories, and the contextual insight that
The problem that both sides face in saying
No matter how problematic steamy pulp fiction or a
“fiction is good” or “fiction is bad” , is that it places
novel about supernatural teenagers may be, a greater
a rule where a brain should be used instead. In her
danger occurs when infractions on the truth infiltrate
colorful warning against novels, Aunt Ellen doesn’t say
religious doctrine, scientific writing, historical
that fiction should be avoided because it simply isn’t
analysis, and news reporting. I believe this is the
true and could be deceiving someone or braking the
Christian’s most important relationship to fiction – to
9th commandment. Instead, her cautions are against
spot its damage not only when it is marked in the
the content of the stories and how they affect the
“fiction” section of a bookstore or library, but also
devotional process. It could be that a fictional story
when it sneaks into things that are supposed to be. To
like Pilgrim’s Progress or The Shack helps strengthen
quote Proverbs 14:15, “The simple believe anything,
spiritual understanding, while a very true war story or
but the prudent give thought to their steps.” (NIV)
Kardashian autobiography could to just the opposite.
As problematic as the Harry Potter series was for the
Christian community, it pales in comparison to the
When it comes to literature, “good” does not
mean “real” and “bad” does not mean “fictional”.
damage done by “The Origin of The Species.”
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.
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The Writers Desk: Envision Magazine Issue no.9
“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”
T
hough 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
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
a pinnacle of the Adventist faith, why shouldn’t it be written
pace. We feel as though true education isn’t based on a certain
into its guidelines? At Envision Magazine, we as writers have a
title, or religion. True education is that which meets the needs of the student, whatever that may be. God imparts wisdom upon
variety of school situations under our collective belts,
each individual. With that knowledge, it helps mold and create
including public high schools and colleges, Adventist
us into the person God wants us to be. He can teach us and
equivalents, awkward homeschool years, and wacky
mold us not just in school buildings, but anywhere He chooses.
unaffiliated Adventist offshoot institutions. With Adventist
His wisdom doesn’t stop molding us if we decide to go to non-
education stepping into our faith’s limelight, we found it
Christian school.
necessary to sit down with “True Education” (the work
by Ellen White) and figure out what “true education” (the
Some of the most useful things one can learn can’t be learned in
concept) strives to be.
a book. Real world experience is a great form of true education in
our eyes. Different experiences and personalities will determine our
“Every human being, created in the image of
True education can also be found outside the classroom.
needs as learners. True education is in the eyes of the learners.
individuality, power to think and to do.” Education. For us,
at Envision, we feel like this quote sums up exactly what we
education” – a term for holistic education coined in the Ellen
think true education is. It depends on that of the individual
White document of the same name. However, the variety
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God, is endowed with a power akin to that of the Creator –
Every Adventist institution claims to institute “true
True Education found across different Adventist schools, outside different
in school and when they leave. When reading the book by
occupational training, communicates that there are many different ways to interpreted True Education. Is it more
the same name, this outcome should be kept in mind. That is where the conflict lies. Though Adventist
student freedom? Is it mandated exercise and worships? Is it
education should always strive towards true education, for
diversity in opinion and lifestyle or unity in one goal? Both
some students, “true education” might happen at home or at
Conservative offshoots and affiliated schools will agree that
a public school. Perhaps an alternative would be instituting
most implementation of true education starts in the scholastic
true education as the 29th fundamental belief, or establishing
realm, and then radiates into the aspects of spiritual and
Adventist education as family upbringing or religious
physical education.
education through the church. Though its interpretation and
institution are, and may always be, under development, a literal
So how do we interpret “True Education”? How is
this fantastic document to be read so its not a veneer to
equivalence between membership and school attendance seems
advertise a school to Christians or a way bend students to a
to limit true education by mandating Adventist education.
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
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N
ews is multi-fold. It comes to life through documentary film, becomes streamlined through TV report, elicits emotion through editorial, and receives face through photography. However, the responsibility of honesty falls onto journalism. Journalism reports. It does not hide behind posterity or opinion or try to make decisions for its readers. It is the quiet pillar that holds up every loud personality or sincere documentary, and to quote the second president of the United States, “were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.� If you need a journalist, please let me know.
269.519.0431
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konnerdent@gmail.com
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