“contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” jude 3 — vol. 4 no. 6
Interfaith Groups Plan Prayer Services Deseret Morning News, Monday, May 1, 2006
Connecting...the...Dots The SDA President, the Pope, and the Ecumenical Movement
Two services will be held Thursday in Utah Valley to commemorate National Day of Prayer. A service will be held at noon at Provo Community Congregational Church, 175 N. University Ave. Another will be at 7:30 p.m. at Provo Seventh-day Adventist Church, 255 S. 700 East. The event is cosponsored by the Utah Valley State College Interfaith Student Association and the Utah Valley Interfaith Association, which represents 40 different faith groups. The Rev. John Lersch, Provo Community Congregational Church pastor, will host the noon event featuring prayers, scriptures, music and comments from leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Presbyterian Church, the Emergent Catholic Church International, Tree of Life Lutheran Church, Jewish tradition, and the Seventhday Adventist Church.
From left to right: Pope Benedict XVI; Cardinal Walter Kaspar, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity; Dr. Hans Kung, a prolific Roman Catholic scholar who served as an expert theological advisor to members of the Second Vatican Council; and Dr. Jan Paulsen, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
What does Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Walter Kaspar, Dr. Hans Kung, and Jan Paulsen have in common? “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. This is the question God proclaimed. There should be a clear line of distinction in education, behavior, and lifestyle between those who are His and those who are not. The servant of the Lord presents two classes of people who Pastor Jorge Flores of the Provo Seventh-day Ad- do not “walk together” but who are actually standing apart from each other. ventist Church will host the 7:30 p.m. event. It will “All society is ranging into two great classes, the obedient and the disobedient. Among which class include music about prayer and will feature pianist shall we be found? Those who keep God's commandments, those who live not by bread alone, but by Janette Rodriguez. Call Chaplain Linda Walton at every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God, compose the church of the living God. Those UVSC, 362-0330; the Rev. Lersch, 375-9115; or who choose to follow Antichrist are subjects of the great apostate. Ranged under the banner of Satan, Pastor Flores, 374-2978 for information. they break God's law, and lead others to break it. They endeavor so to frame the laws of nations that Source: Deseret Morning News, P.O. Box 1257, men shall show their loyalty to earthly governments by trampling upon the laws of God's kingdom.’ Salt Lake City, UT 84110, (801) 237-2100 Manuscript Releases Volume One, pp. 295, 296.
Seeds of Ecumenism Sprouting in Russia
Clearly, this statement declares that God’s people should have nothing in common with the “Antichrist” power nor with the “great apostate” systems which are leading people to break God’s law. So what do these men have in common? They all attended the same theological seminary at Tubingen University in Tubingen, Germany—all at the same time—during the late 1960s early Numerous Events Held for Christian Unity 1970s. Three served as theological professors and one was merely a student in training. Three were Moscow, February 2, 2006 (Zenit.org). the instructors, one was a “nurtured” pupil. Three were “fatherly figures,” one was a willing novice Russia is seeing signs of Christian unity stirring. seeking instruction. Last Friday, for instance, a Christian ecumenical celebration was held on a large scale in St. Peters- 1. Dr. Hans Kung was Professor of Ecumenical Theology and Director of the Institute from Ecumenical Research at the University of Tubingen. He was a member of the faculty from 1960 until his burg. retirement in 1995. Dr. Hans Kung studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian UniThe event was held with an eye toward the justversity in Rome, a Jesuit University. From 1962-1965, he was also appointed by Pope John XXIII to ended Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and the serve as an official theological consultant to the Second Vatican Council. [Source: 62nd anniversary of the lifting of the blockade of http://www.un.org/Dialogue/Kung.html ]. what was then Leningrad during World War II. 2. Cardinal Walter Kaspar became a member of the theological faculty of Tubingen in 1958. By Some 200 people gathered in the Evangelical1970, he was still serving as professor of dogmatic theology and became dean of the Theological Lutheran church there to attend the conference on Faculty at Tubingen the same year. Today, Cardinal Walter Kaspar is the President of the Pontifical "Christian Unity and Religious Tolerance." Russian Council for Promoting Christian Unity. His job is to coordinate all the ecumenical activities for the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran representatives Roman Catholic Church. [Source: http://www.fiu.edu/~mirandas/bios-k.htm]. addressed the gathering. 3. Pope Benedict XVI [formerly Joseph Ratzinger] was appointed in 1966 as professor of dogmatic During the conference, participants mentioned the theology at the University of Tubingen. His appointment was strongly supported by Professor Hans imperative need to work as a whole and to give colKung. [Source: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/benedictxvi/biography.htm]. lective testimony to achieve unity. Subsequently, they went to the Catholic church of St. Ekaterina for 4. Jan Paulsen, President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,1999-Present, enrolled at Tubingen University as a student and became the first Seventh-day Adventist to receive a an ecumenical prayer service. Doctorate in Theology from Tubingen in June, 1972—even though Jan Paulsen had already earned a The event, in the Museum of the History of Youththeological degree from Emmanuel Missionary College, now Andrews University. [Source: ful Movements, attracted representatives of the http://www.gcsession.org/media-kit/pdf/jan_paulsen_bio.pdf]. Catholic, Evangelical-Lutheran, EvangelicalChristian, Methodist, and Adventist churches and Tubingen University was founded in 1477 by Duke Eberhard as a Reformation seminary to train Charismatics, as well as scholars and intellectuals. Protestant ministers during the Reformation. Phillip Malanchthon, the German Reformer who did much to help the cause of the Protestant Reformation, received his M.A. from Tubingen University Christians of different confessions and denominain 1512. Later he was appointed professor at Wittenberg where he became acquainted with Martin tions is more important than ever, making it necesLuther. He is second only to Luther as a champion of the German Reformation. sary not to allow interconfessional hostilities, or proselytism or pretension to leadership in religious Unfortunately, by 1817, Tubingen added a Roman Catholic Faculty to the School and this resulted in what Ellen White calls the undoing of Protestantism. life flare up." The Spirit of Prophecy declares: “Let the watchmen on the walls of Zion not join with those who are making of none effect the truth as it is in Christ. Let them not join the confederacy of infidelity, popery, and Protestantism in exalting tradition above Scripture, reason above revelation, and human talent above the divine influence and the vital power of godliness.” 4 Bible Commentary pp. 1141, 1142.
“The Roman Church is far-reaching in her plans and modes of operation. She is employing every device to extend her influence and increase her power in preparation for a fierce and determined conflict to regain control of the world, to re-establish persecution, and to undo all that Protestantism has done.” The Great Controversy, pp. 565, 566. Consequently, Tubingen University became one of the first religious seminaries to teach Ecumenical Theology. This is part of the university’s mission statement: “The Protestant and Catholic Theological Faculties of The University [Tubingen] are located in the same building and use the same teaching and research facilities. This —continued on page 2
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—continued from page 1 symbolizes decades of fruitful cooperation and exchange of ideas between the two Faculties...The Protestant Theological Faculty also maintains strong relationships to the World Council of Churches and to the international ecumenical and missionary movements.” [Source: http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/ev-theologie/].
light has been continually shining upon the Scriptures, and new truths have been constantly unfolding.” Great controversy, pp. 148, 149.
“The third angel’s message reveals the great saving truth for this time. Its truths are constantly unfolding, and it is God's design that even the children and youth shall understand intelligently what God requires, that they may Evidently, this once Protestant seminary fell victim to the “counter- distinguish between righteousness and sin, between obedience and disobediReformation” The theological seminary at Tubingen is a place where ecu- ence.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. Nine, p. 292. menical unity thrives. Where, according to the University’s website, Protes- Are we to suppose that when our church leaders attend non-Adventist semitant and Roman Catholic seminary professors have had “fruitful cooperation naries that they will acquire a greater love and appreciation for the third anand exchange of ideas” for decades! gel’s message—the message that helps “distinguish between righteousness and sin, between obedience and disobedience?” On the contrary, the theoCut from the same Cloth? logical schools of Babylon have two primary objectives: (1) to “undo all This is undoubtedly a very serithat Protestantism has done” (Great Controversy pp. 565, 566) and to (2) ous situation when the highest “regain its lost supremacy...through the time-serving concessions of the soleadership of both the Roman called Protestant world.” (2 SM, p. 368). Catholic and Seventh-day Adventist Church—the pope and “Popery is to regain its lost supremacy, and the first fires of persecution will the SDA president—are prodbe rekindled through the time-serving concessions of the so-called Protesucts of the same theological intant world.” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, p. 368. stitution. To be more frank, the How can we as Seventh-day Adventists ask for special protection when the SDA President enrolled in a “fires of persecution are rekindled” if we are spending time, being trained, school to gain knowledge and and educated by the Protestant world? No wonder we see such a terrible, prepare for church minisspiritual condition within Adventism. try/denominational employment where prominent Roman Catholic theologians, Pope Benedict being one, Modern Protestantism is making concessions and compromises which will one day empower the great “Lawless System” of the last days. Tubingen were teaching Ecumenical Theology. University is a perfect example on how Protestant and Catholic Theological We must stop and seriously make the following inquires: Could these two faculties work together to accomplish this end. leaders think the same way? Do they act the same? Is their outlook and objectives the same? Or might this really be just a coincidence that the pope “While the Protestant world is by her attitude making concessions to Rome, and the GC President were members of the same educational system, “cut let us arouse to comprehend the situation and view the contest before us from the same cloth.” Or could this be a subtle conspiracy to shift the de- in its true bearings...The Law of God should be loved and honored by His nomination or the denomination’s theology towards Protestantism and Ro- true people now more than ever before.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, pp. 716, 717. man Catholicism? Might this explain the apparent doctrinal transition of the What should our attitude be when Protestants make concessions with church—gradually replacing Biblical Theology for New Theology? Should Rome? Ellen White tells us that we must arouse to comprehend the situathis result in a loss of confidence in the General Conference? Will the out- tion and exalt the Law of God. come end with the final repudiation of the Biblical prophecies that point to the Roman Catholic Church as the Antichrist power, the “man of sin” of 2 Rather than contemplating a degree of theology or “higher education” from Thessalonians, or Babylon and all other “objectionable” historical Seventh- the system of “confusion” [Babylon], we as Seventh-day Adventists should seek the power of the Holy Spirit who will give us the words to speak so day Adventist doctrine? that we can uphold the historic Adventist’s “distinguishing truths.” Jan Paulsen’s decision to attend this school should have led the “brethren” of the General Conference nominating committee to first determine whether “While the contempt placed upon God’s commandments leads many to supor not it was appropriate for him to become the General Conference Presi- press the truth and show less reverence for it, the faithful ones will with dent—in light of the severe warning found in Revelation 18: “Babylon the greater earnestness hold aloft its distinguishing truths.” Selected Mesgreat is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils...Come out sage, Vol. 2, pp. 368, 369. of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive The very name “Seventh-day Adventist is a standing rebuke to the Protesnot of her plagues....” Revelation 18:1-5. tant world.” Testimonies, Vol. 1, p. 223. Jan Paulsen should have been critically examined as to whether or not he Why? — “It is because the saints are keeping all ten of the commandments would uphold the historical Seventh-day Adventist positions. Because dur- that the dragon makes war upon them. If they will lower the standard and ing his tenure at Tubingen University, he was trained by professors who yield the peculiarities of their faith, the dragon will be at peace; but they repudiate the fundamental principles of historical Adventism. Do we not see excite his ire because they have dared to raise the standard and unfurl their the enormous risk we take when we elect church leaders who were trained banner in opposition to the Protestant world, who are worshiping the instituby the enemies of the present truth? “Be not deceived: evil communications tion of papacy.” Ibid., p. 223. corrupt good manners.” 1 Cor. 15:33. “Babylon is said to be ’the mother of harlots.’ By her daughters must be No cause is ever without an effect; and when SDA leaders willfully go and symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow become intoxicated [indoctrinated] with the wine of Babylon—those deci- her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval of God, in order to sions have profound effects in the schools, the health work, and on the de- form an unlawful alliance with the world.” The Great Controversy, pp, 238nomination as a whole. Notice this statement written to those responsible 239. for the spiritual well-being of our people taken from “Counsels to TeachThe decision made to elect a General Conference President who obtained a ers”: doctorate in theology from “BABYLON” will have profound, far-reaching “And there are some who, having secured this worldly education, think that effects on the denomination as a whole and on the ecumenical movement as they can introduce it into our schools. But let me tell you that you must not well. For the churches of Babylon will see this as a positive move on the take what the world calls the higher education and bring it into our schools part of the SDA church which will help heal the divisions and controversies and sanitariums and churches. We need to understand these things. I speak that have “troubled” the church during the early days of the movement. Unto you definitely. This must not be done.” “Counsels to Teachers,” Funda- fortunately, many Seventh-day Adventist leaders and brethren will see this mentals of Christian Education, pp. 535, 536. as a good thing. Personally, we see this as another example of how the What good is accomplished when church leaders are “nurtured” or “trained” church is being sold down the river without a paddle and is “drifting away by institutions that applaud the Protestant/Evangelical message of “Down to sea, without chart or compass” (R&H July 24, 1888). with God’s law.” Such religious schools are the daughters of Babylon, for “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the they voice the sentiments of their mother. Modern Protestant teachings to- ways of death.” Pro. 14:12. day have become consistent with false papal doctrines. Times have certainly changed. We must help our brethren to better underWhat can a school of theology owned by the fallen daughters of Babylon, stand the historic Adventist message, especially as it relates to our foundawhich employs Roman Catholic professors, teach God’s people? What mes- tional principles. I trust that God will help each one to understand, to sages can we hope to learn from them, if not to leave the patience of the preach, and to live the message that God has called us to live, so that Jesus saints, abandon the commandments of God, recant the “distinguishing might soon come and His work might be completed. We love this message truths” of the faith, and return with them to Babylon!?! This is precisely that has been embraced by the faithful for so long. And we should not alwhat we have been seeing during the last fifty years. In reality, it is not low the “misguided” to destroy the foundational pillars of the blessed truths “higher education” that our brethren are learning from non-Adventist semi- that have made us what we are. naries; actually, it is a “lower education” which leads to departure from the -The Editors historic Adventist theology. “The Reformation did not, as many suppose, end with Luther. It is to be continued to the close of this world’s history...From that time to this, new
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President Attends the 3rd Annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast Washington Hilton Hotel Washington, D.C. April 7, 2006 8:30 a.m. THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. I'm so thrilled to be here with the cardinals of the church. Cardinal McCarrick I know is here, and Cardinal Bevilacqua. My spirits are always uplifted when I'm in the presence of Their Excellencies, and it's great to see you both. Laura sends her love and her best. I want to thank the leadership of the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast for having me, and, more importantly, having this chance for all to worship together. I appreciate so very much the Chief Justice joining us. I'm proud you're here, President George W. Bush acknowledges the crowd after being introduced to the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast by Archbishop Jose Gomez, in Washington on April 7, 2006. (UPI Photo/Kevin Dietsch) Chief Justice. Secretary Nicholson, I appreciate you being here. Jim Nicholson and Suzanne, as you might recall, he was our Ambassador to the Vatican, and he did a fantastic job. Looking around, I see members of the United States Senate, members of the House of Representatives. Thank you all for coming. Proud you're here. Thanks for taking time out of your day. We needed a hopeful moment for this world of ours. It's a time when more people have a chance to claim freedom that God intended for us all. It's also a time of great challenge. In some of the most advanced parts of our world, some people no longer believe that the desire for liberty is universal. Some people believe you cannot distinguish between right and wrong. The Catholic Church rejects such a pessimistic view of human nature and offers a vision of human freedom and dignity U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rooted in the same and wife Jane are applauded after being ac- self-evident truths of knowledged by U.S. President George W. Bush America's founding. at the annual National Catholic Prayer BreakThis morning we ask fast in Washington April 7, 2006. REUTERS
God to guide us as we work together to live up to these timeless truths. When our founders wrote the Declaration of Independence, they called liberty an unalienable right. An unalienable right means that freedom is a right that no government can take away because freedom is not government's to give. Freedom is a gift from the Almighty because it is -- and because it is universal, our Creator has written it into all nature. To maintain this freedom, societies need high moral standards. And the Catholic Church and its institutions play a vital role in helping our citizens acquire the character we need to live as free people. In the last part of the 20th century, we saw the appeal of freedom in the hands of a priest from Poland. When Pope John Paul II ascended to the chair of St. Peter, the Berlin Wall was still standing. His native Poland was occupied by a communist power. And the division of Europe looked like a permanent scar across the continent. Yet Pope John Paul told us, "Be not afraid," because he knew that an empire built on lies was ultimately destined to fail. By reminding us that our freedom and dignity rests on truths about man and his nature, Pope John Paul II set off one of the greatest revolutions for freedom the world has ever known.
Pope John Paul has now been succeeded by one of his closest friends and colleagues, Pope Benedict XVI. Pope Benedict, when he was a Cardinal, and recently—when he was a Cardinal, Laura and I had a chance to meet him, and recently she went back to Rome to see him again. He was such a gracious host, wonderfully kind man. Like his predecessor, Pope Benedict understands that the measure of a free society is how it treats the weakest and most vulnerable among us. In his Christmas homily, the Pope noted that the Savior came to earth as a "defenseless child," and said that the splendor of that Christmas shines upon every child, born and unborn. Here in the United States, we work to strengthen a culture of life, through many state and federal initiatives that expand the protections of the unborn. These initiatives reflect the consensus of the American people acting through their elected representatives, and we will continue to work for the day when every child is welcome in life and protected in law. I appreciate the leading role that President George W. Bush speaks the Catholic faith-based organiza- with Reverend Mother Assumpta tions play in our nation's armies Long, Foundress and Prioress General of the Sisters of Mary Mother of of compassion. And one of the the Eucharist, at the annual Namany ways that Catholic faithtional Catholic Prayer breakfast in based organizations serve their neighbors is by welcoming new- Washington. comers and helping them become good citizens. This nation of ours is having an important debate about immigration, and it is vitally important that this debate be conducted in a civil tone. I believe that the American Dream is open to all who work hard and play by the rules, and that America does not have to choose between being a compassionate society and a society of law. An immigration system that forces people into the shadows of our society, or leaves them prey to criminals is a system that needs to be changed. I'm confident that we can change our immigration system in ways that secures our border, respects the rule of law, and, as importantly, upholds the decency of our country. As the Congress continues this debate, its members must remember we are a nation of immigrants. And immigration has helped restore our soul on a regular basis. I ask for your prayers again, that our nation may always be an inspiration to those who believe that God made every man, woman and child for freedom. It is such an honor to be here. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless our country. —
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Hip-hop, R&B and Jazz on Menu for Tastes Annual Takoma Park Festival Features More than Food Wednesday, April 5, 2006 by Sean Sands, Maryland’s Gazette Staff Writer While some might think of the annual Tastes of Takoma festival as tempting to the appetite, this year’s event at Columbia Union College promises to appeal to a broad range of musical Visitors at the Tastes of Takoma at Columbia Union College wait in lines to samtastes as well. ple some of the food. Among the entertainers scheduled to appear at the event Sunday, which takes place on the college lawn at 7600 Flower Ave., are R&B singer Porsche Smith from Oakland, Calif., local jazz band The Young Lions, self-described folk⁄progressive⁄Afro-beat singer Bilal Salaam and The Tumbao Cuban Jazz Band, a 14-piece group well-known among the area’s Latin community. ‘‘This year, I would say that we have music that everyone in a sense can like,” said Tastes of Takoma Entertainment Director Andrew Cousins, a senior public relations major originally from Brooklyn, N.Y. ‘‘We have everything from Indies rock to soul⁄R&B to jazz and neosoul.” And while last year marked an effort to include entertainment that appealed to Latino audiences, parts of this year’s program will have a uniquely African flair, including a troupe of drummers and a special host for the six-hour program, Wayna, an Ethiopian-born singer⁄ songwriter who was crowned Miss Black Unity at the University of Maryland in 1995. ‘‘A lot of people know her as the ‘Ethiopian Queen,’” Cousins said. ‘‘... I am really, really proud that we were able to get her to host.” Other acts for the festival, which runs noon to 6 p.m., include hip-hop theater performers Hueman Prophets, R&B singer Carter Anderson, the rock band Shapiro, a group of Latin dancers and the Takoma Park Middle School Step Team. The college’s acrobatic team, the Acro-Airs, also will perform. The festival also will seek to appeal to varied gastronomical tastes with an equally diverse selection of local restaurants and caterers, said Food Director Genaye Channel, a junior broadcast journalism major from Las Vegas. Abiti Ethiopian Restaurant will join a menu complemented by Thai and soul food, while Takoma Park’s Middle East Market and Silver Spring’s Lebanese Taverna will offer popular favorites, including vegetarian dishes. Pizza Palace and Subway also will join the lineup, along with funnel cakes and ice cream. While the focus of the festival is providing music, food and family fun for people in the Takoma Park area, the team producing the event is made up entirely of Columbia Union students, and the festival itself is a classroom project. ‘‘I think this has really helped me learn ... the power of just getting out there and asking for things,” said Festival Director Wayne Binkley, a senior public communication major from Oregon. ‘‘I think knowing and working with people in the community, that definitely helps in building contacts, but it also shows my future employers that I can take on responsibility and get out there and try something new and different.” Binkley also gave credit to the event’s sponsors, including the college and its radio station, WGTS-FM, Washington Adventist Hospital and the City of Takoma Park. ‘‘All of these sponsors help us realize our ambitions,” he said, ‘‘not only through financial support, but they also give us tips and advice every time we ask questions.” Takoma Park’s annual festival season kicks off with Tastes of Takoma noon to 6 p.m. Sunday on the lawn of Columbia Union College, 7600 Flower Ave. The free event will include music and dance, a variety of food vendors
and a children’s area with moon bounces and a petting zoo. Washington Adventist Hospital will offer free health screenings during the event. Parking is available in college’s lots, and the campus is served by Ride On’s No. 12 bus, which runs between the Silver Spring and Takoma Metro stations, and the No. 17 bus, which runs from Langley Park to the Silver Spring station. Bus schedules are available by calling 240777-RIDE (7433). For information about the festival, visit www.tastesoftakoma.com Copyright © 2006 The Gazette The Gazette (Maryland) 1200 Quince Orchard Blvd. Gaithersburg, MD 20878 301-948-3120 Editor’s Note: “They have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean…” Ezek. 22:26. Some contemporary theology might find a way to justify all this shameful and disgraceful display of worldliness but the Bible nor the Spirit of Prophecy does not. If the church needs to borrow a vehicle to present the gospel to the world through rap music, food, music, dance, performances, and a myriad of other fanfares—then this is proof that we have lost the power of the gospel and proof that there is more of the world in the church than there is church in the world. Adding the flashy attraction that the world loves to our churches, schools, or other religious institution is an abomination in the sight of God because: “For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15. How displeasing to God are all these secular entertainments and performances. Are we really doing all this to bring people to Christ? Does the world really attend these spectacular displays to become inspired to join the Church and follow God? Or is this the way to gain notoriety in the eyes of the world? Jesus declared that there was only one way to draw the world to Himself: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32. When we borrow the activities from the world which entertain the senses to present the gospel of Jesus Christ, we insult the sweet convicting voice of the Holy Spirit and shut Him out of the church. The Holy Spirit convicts men of sin and leads them to repentance, and we doubt that His voice is even heard amid the flashy presentation of hiphop music. The following paragraphs were taken from Hope International’s Our Firm Foundation, Volume 21 Number 4, page 15, “Gospel Gimmicks,” part 2 [used by permission, to order call (309) 343-1844]: “It is often suggested that before we can reach the world with the gospel, we have to employ the world’s methods to proclaim Christ's truth. ...Even if we are actually proclaiming the everlasting gospel, we trivialize and cheapen the importance of the message when we adopt the world’s entertainment methods to communicate truth. Entertainment is entertainment and is generally not taken seriously by the public as a vehicle to proclaim important messages. If we adopt entertainment elements such as rock music, drama, clowns, puppets, and magicians, our message will fail to make any real moral demand upon the hearers. If it is true that rock music is the most effective medium to reach young people today, why is it that math teachers and chemistry professors don’t set their classes to heavy beat and hip-swinging music? Why don’t politicians employ clowns and illusionists to present their political messages?” “Common sense tells us that these entertainment media are not the most credible methods to communicate serious messages. A doctor, meeting an apprehensive patient, does not dress like a clown in order to tell his patient that she has cancer. If a doctor who wants to be taken seriously does not resort to this kind of frivolity, isn’t it folly to announce God’s message of warning and judgment to a dying world by resorting to entertainment.” —
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Town to be Constructed on Drugs Companies ‘Inventing Diseases Strict Catholic Teachings to Boost Profits’ By Brian Skoloff ASSOCIATED PRESS March 6, 2006 Naples, Florida. - If Domino's Pizza founder Thomas S. Monaghan has his way, a town being built in Florida will be governed according to strict Roman Catholic principles, with no place to get an abortion, pornography or birth control. The pizza magnate is bankrolling the project with at least $250 million and calls it "God's will." Civil libertarians say the plan is unconstitutional and are threatening to sue. The town of Ave Maria is being constructed around Ave Maria University, the first Catholic university to be built in the United States in about 40 years. Both are set to open next year about 25 miles east of Naples in southwestern Florida. The town and the university, developed in partnership with the Barron Collier Co., an agricultural and real estate business, will be set on 5,000 acres with a European-inspired town center, a massive church and what planners call the largest crucifix in the nation, at nearly 65 feet tall. Mr. Monaghan envisions 11,000 homes and 20,000 residents. During a speech last year at a Catholic men's gathering in Boston, Mr. Monaghan said that in his community, stores will not sell pornographic magazines, pharmacies will not carry condoms or birth-control pills, and cable television will have no X-rated channels. Home buyers in Ave Maria will own their property outright, but Mr. Monaghan and Barron Collier will control all commercial real estate in the town, meaning they could insert provisions in leases to restrict the sale of certain items. "I believe all of history is just one big battle between good and evil. I don't want to be on the sidelines," Mr. Monaghan, who sold Domino's Pizza in 1998 to devote himself to doing good works, said in a Newsweek interview. Robert Falls, a spokesman for the project, said last week that attorneys are reviewing the legal issues and that Mr. Monaghan had no comment in the meantime. "If they attempt to do what he apparently wants to do, the people of Naples and Collier County, Florida, are in for a whole series of legal and constitutional problems and a lot of litigation indefinitely into the future," said Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
By Mark Henderson, Science Correspondent The Times (UK) April 11, 2006 Pharmaceutical companies are systematically creating diseases in order to sell more of their products, turning healthy people into patients and placing many at risk of harm, a special edition of a leading medical journal claims today. The practice of “disease-mongering” by the drug industry is promoting non-existent illnesses or exaggerating minor ones for the sake of profits, according to a set of essays published by the open-access journal Public Library of Science Medicine. The special issue, edited by David Henry, of Newcastle University in Australia, and Ray Moynihan, an Australian journalist, reports that conditions such as female sexual dysfunction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and “restless legs syndrome” have been promoted by companies hoping to sell more of their drugs. Other minor problems that are a normal part of life, such as symptoms of the menopause, are also becoming increasingly “medicalised”, while risk factors such as high cholesterol levels or osteoporosis are being presented as diseases in their own right, according to the editors. Doctors, patients and support groups need to be more aware that pharmaceutical companies are taking this approach, and more research is needed into the changing ways in which conditions are presented, according to the writers. Disease-awareness campaigns are often funded by drug companies, and “more often designed to sell drugs than to illuminate or inform or educate about the prevention of illness or the maintenance of health”, they say. Richard Ley, of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, rejected the accusations, pointing out that Britain has firm safeguards against disease-mongering. Many of the authors’ criticisms, he said, were aimed squarely at countries such as the United States, where pharmaceuticals can be openly advertised directly to patients. “Drug companies are not allowed to communicate directly with patients, and we do not invent diseases,” he said. “We provide information that there are treatments out there that might help certain conditions, but at the end of the day it is down to health professionals to decide if they are appropriate. “The best safeguard is that the doctor who knows the product and knows the patient’s history is the one who decides what to prescribe.” The Times +44(0)207 740 0206 thetimes@ocsworldwide.co.uk
U.S. Bishops Urge National Catholic Support for the Federal Marriage Amendment Washington DC, April 04, 2006, Catholic News Agency - Bishop William Skylstad, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling on all bishops across the country to mobilize their dioceses and urge the U.S. government to establish a federal constitutional amendment protecting marriage as an institution between one man and one woman.
Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist said it will be up to the courts to decide the legalities of the plan. "The community has the right to provide a wholesome environment," he said. "If someone disagrees, they have the right to go to court and present facts before a judge."
In a letter, made public yesterday, Bishop Skylstad, who also oversees the Diocese of Spokane, Washington, said that “there is a growing sense shared by many people, including a wide range of religious leaders, that a Marriage Protection Amendment is the only federal-level action that ultimately will protect and preserve the institution of marriage.”
Gov. Jeb Bush, at the site's groundbreaking earlier this month, lauded the development as a new kind of town where faith and freedom will merge to create a community of like-minded citizens. Mr. Bush, a convert to Catholicism, did not speak specifically to the proposed restrictions.
Addressing the bishops specifically, he wrote that “timely and focused efforts are needed to help the Catholic faithful form their consciences on such an important matter.” In June, the drafted Protection of Marriage Amendment (S.J. Res. 1) is slated to be brought before the U.S. Senate.
"While the governor does not personally believe in abortion or pornography, the town, and any restrictions they may place on businesses choosing to locate there, must comply with the laws and constitution of the state and federal governments," Russell Schweiss, a spokesman for the governor, said last week.
At that time, said Bishop Skylstad, the Church “will have the opportunity once again to stand publicly in support of marriage as the God-given union of a man and a woman.” Because “in some states there are upcoming votes for either legislation or constitutional amendments defining marriage,” Bishop Skylstad admitted that “We are challenged…to give attention to the interplay of state and federal level policy as well as to focus our efforts where they are most needed and can do the most good.” Calling married love “a gift of God to humankind and to his Church,” the bishop said that “It needs to be promoted, preserved, and protected now and for the future. —
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“So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.” Matthew 24:33
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez kisses the hand of Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Vatican City May 11, 2006. Chavez arrived in Vatican to meet Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday.
In this photo released by Miraflores Press Office, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, left, is blessed by Pope Benedict XVI during a private audience at the Vatican, Thursday, May 11, 2006. AP Photo/Juan Carlos Solorzano)
May 27, 2006—A magnitude 6.3 earthquake crushed the country of Indonesia, killing over 6,5000 people and leaving another 650,000 homeless and injured.
The driver of an SUV was fatally shot by border patrol agents as he was headed back into Mexico at the border gates to Tijuana, Mexico, Thursday, May 18, 2006 in San Ysidro, Calif. A motorist said that a federal agent shattered the vehicle’s window with his baton to get him to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated and the agent opened fire. The front-seat passenger claims the driver hit the brakes and put his hands up. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Pope Benedict XVI meets Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair (R) at the Vatican June 3, 2006. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano
Queen Margrethe II (L) of Denmark meets Pope Benedict XVI in his private apartments at the Vatican May 19, 2006. REUTERS
Pope Benedict XVI receives Switzerland's President Moritz Leuenberger (L) for a visit, during a week of festivities marking the 500th anniversary of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican May 6, 2006. (Plinio Lepri/Pool/Reuters) Pope Benedict XVI looks at a statue of the Virgin Mary with Nicaragua's President Enrique Bolanos Geyer and his wife Lila at the Vatican, May 15, 2006. (Osservatore Romano/Reuters)
Russian riot police beat and detain a gay activists during a protest near Red Square in Moscow May 27, 2006. Moscow's influential mayor said on Tuesday the city banned gay activists from holding a parade because it is morally cleaner than the West, which is caught up in 'mad licentiousness'. (Sergei Karpukhin/Reuters)
May 26, 2006—New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, all received federal disaster declarations for the devastating floods caused by the worst rain storms in over 70 years. Most of the Northeastern States were affected by the rains. Villagers clash with police in the village of San Salvador Atenco, about 31 miles east of Mexico City May 3, 2006. Mexican police brutally put down riots in a rebellious town outside Mexico City this month and sexually abused some two dozen women in the operation, a rights watchdog said on Monday. (Daniel Aguilar/Reuters)
An aerial view of flooding in Uttaradit province, about 310 miles north of Bangkok, Thailand, May 24, 2006. Heavy rains and mudslides have killed over 100 people and left thousands homeless. (Stringer/Reuters)
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the eternal gospel herald — volume 4, no. 6
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Greetings in the name of the Lord, It is with great joy that we want to share with all of you what God is doing with us. As many of you may already know, we are engaged in the missionary field in Dominican Republic for the Eternal Gospel Church in West Palm Beach, FL, caring for children in need. Back in February, we received a phone call from Brother Harold Cortez, of Christian Fellowship of Seventh-day Adventist in Colton, California, to conduct a medical mission training conference in Bogotá, Columbia. We accepted the invitation and began our plans and preparation with much prayers. We arrived in Columbia the 15th of March and were there until the 4th of April, 2006.
Maria & Gerry McGinty on Mount Monserrate, overlooking the city of Bogota, Columbia.
It was a great blessing for both of us and for the brethren in Columbia as we shared the love of Christ through hydrotherapy, massage, and simple remedies. The participants were predominantly Adventist, but we had a lot of visitors from Catholic and Protestant faiths. They were all so receptive to the training as we used the Bible and Ministry of Healing for the basis of the course. Everyday the classes were full with about 70 to 80 people. On Sabbath we were at full capacity with about 170 attendees. The conference was divided into three parts. The first was the spiritual lectures that focused on the health principles and the medical missionary work. The second part consisted of the theory and practice of hydrotherapy, simple remedies, and massage. The final phase was a hands-on training, in which participants learned how to apply poultices and simple remedies. Some people from the community came with different ailments. For example, a gentleman came with boils all over his chest. We applied a fenugreek poultice, prayed for him, and recommended rest. He went home, and two days later he informed us that he was 90 percent better and that his boils had completely dried up. Here are a few testimonials from some of the participants:
Benjamin Cortez a medical missionary of Columbia was a featured lecturer during the conference.
“My name is Nancy and I have a daughter who is 7 years old. We are very thankful to God for the visit that Gerry and Maria had in our city. We were able to see the love of God as they showed us all the different ways on how we can better our health. We can now help others to do the same. I have practiced the simple applications that I learned with my sister-in-law; the salt glow body rub and steam baths with my daughter. And we are drinking hot water with lemon every morning and we have experience the changes in our bodies. It is my desire to take what I have learned and share with all those who need them; and thereby show to others the love of God. I would like for you to return very soon. Thanks to all those who have provided the opportunity to come here.” “My name is Rosario. This course has been such a great blessing. We have taken other courses on health in the past; but definitely, your conference has been the best! I have especially been blessed by the massage and hydrotherapy. May God bless your hands and your minds, and may He provide to you everyday more wisdom and grace.”
Maria McGinty explains the principles of health from both the Bible and the SOP.
Sister Helga helped in the program by taking blood pressures.
“My name is Rodrigo and I want to first of all give thanks to God for using you as His instruments during the recent medical missionary training. I have learned so much about Muscle Energy Technique. This has helped me to relax and relieve the pain that I have. I have understood through the charts that you displayed on the projector about the positive effects from the hot and cold compresses. What I enjoyed the most was how the 8 laws of health apply to our spiritual life. This has been of great personal value to have been able to attend your seminar. I was grateful on how you were able to help my father. My father arrived to your conference with a strange boil outbreak on his chest. His family told him that maybe he had herpes. He was in a lot of pain and his condition was pretty bad. Sister Maria applied a poultice and after my father took it off his condition was almost healed. He continued to administer the application at home in order to continue the treatment. He also applied charcoal, clay, and garlic oil which brother Sebastian Teh from Christian Fellowship had taught us. For the honor and glory of God, the boils on my father disappeared. Thank you for your efforts to carry on this work. The Lord will certainly reward you all.”
We have literally received dozens of similar letters of appreciation. So many of the participants began right away to apply what was learned in their homes with friends and families. Everyone has expressed that they will use the information learned. We have been invited again to return and repeat our medical missionary training in three other major cities: Barranquilla, Cali, and Bucaramanga, Columbia. Please pray that this will be possible. We are asking for your prayers and support. This will be a joint missionary project by Christian Fellowship and The Eternal Gospel Church. Any funds earmarked “Columbian Project” sent to either ministry will A hot foot bath, a blan- be used solely for the work that God is doing in this country that has been ravaged by years of ket wrap, and a cold Gerry is here instructing compress help relieve civil war and conflicts. participants during the this boy’s fever, chill, - Maria McGinty massage training. and headache.
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The Eternal Gospel Church recently held its spring camp meeting in Oklahoma on April 2830, 2006. We were blessed to have brethren from across America who took time out of their schedules to join us. Our Spring 2006 Oklahoma Camp meeting was good despite the storms and flooding throughout the area. We thank God that all who attended arrived safely. And even though many called our office letting us know that they would not be able to attend due to the weather, the overall attendance was a blessing. It was good to see leaders from different ministries coming together to participate in this meeting. We believe that each speaker brought important messages for this time. Many were inspired throughout the meeting and some have expressed their commitment to continue working for God. We praise God for them. In is our goal that in the months or years ahead that this campground will serve as a place where decisions are made to serve God and give their hearts to Him. May this place be an opportunity where we can build relationships, rejuvenate our own personal faith, and meet new brethren who have embraced the truth of the Third Angel’s Message. This past camp meeting has been very enjoyable—as we have added newer facilities, more bathrooms and showers and a pavilion nearly completed. However, the commercial kitchen needs to be finished, floors need to be complete, and some other upgrades including heating and cooling systems need to be put in place. Your prayers and support is greatly appreciated. Mark on your calendar the first week of October. We will be hosting a 3 day health seminar starting Wednesday, October 4th through Friday, October 6th. Then our regular fall camp meeting will be starting Friday evening, October 6th. So far we have scheduled Pastor Ron Spear, from Hope International, Dr. Colin Standish, from Hartland Institute, and myself, your Apr.’06—Pastor Raphael Perez at the Historic Adventist friend and brother in Christ, Pastor Raphael Perez. Camp Meeting in Berlin, Germany. Also on April 14-17, 2006, I attended a historic Adventist camp meeting outside of Berlin, Germany, the land of the great Reformer, Martin Luther. While in Germany, I was contemplating the work of the Reformation and how God used this country in such a powerful way to bring the truth of the Word to the world during a time of great darkness and apostasy. Likewise today, we need to go through a great reformation so that our work can be finished and Christ could come. We are in need of reformers in our time who would rise up to combat the spiritual darkness that is encompassing this world. I was encouraged to meet some of those people in Germany. The leaders and brethren of the self-supporting work that I met at this camp meeting are very dedicated in proclaiming the three angel’s message through radio and newspaper and track distribution. They are doing a similar work to what we have been doing in North, Central, Different leaders, friends, and visitors attended the April and South America. It was so good to meet humble people who love the Lord and are in love camp meeting in the countryside outside of Berlin, Gerwith this same message. The camp meeting was a week long that resulted in about three Bap- many. tisms. Let us keep these brethren in prayer who are witnessing to the precious faith in Europe. - Pastor Raphael Perez
Friends and visitors having lunch under the new pavilion which was recently installed in Oklahoma.
Left To Right: Pastor John Grosboll, Pastor Clark Floyd, Pastor Raphael Perez, Pastor Lee Forbes, and (not present) Pastor Domingo Nunez were the featured speakers at the Okla- Part of the congregation during song service in Tuskahoma Camp Meeting during our Spring Conference in April 2006. homa, Oklahoma. The Eternal Gospel Herald PO Box 15138 W.P.B., FL 33416 1-800-769-2150 eternalgospel@att.net Subscription: FREE The Eternal Gospel Herald is published from West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, by the Eternal Gospel Church, a ministry that was founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist believers to bring true, genuine, world-wide revival and reformation by proclaiming the Third Angel’s
Message. The Eternal Gospel Herald is sent to you free of charge, with much love, work, and sacrifice. This publication should not be considered a doctrinal journal or a devotional manuscript, being that we have the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy to supplement those needs. Neither should you consider The Eternal Gospel Herald as an attack on any personality or entity, nor as a gossip tabloid, or an undocumented, speculative Adventist journal. Every effort is made to insure the accuracy of the information contained herein. This publication is
printed to communicate the issues and subjects pertaining solely to the development and fulfillment of the third angel’s message. We hope and pray that you will not only enjoy it but that it will be informative and spiritually enlightening to all of you. It is only by the grace of God and the support of each of you that we are able to participate in publishing, radio, newspapers, billboards, and foreign missions.
Pastor Raphael Perez —