Thursday, September 9, 2010

Reviewing the Adventist Review

August 26, 1010
Vol. 187, No. 29
www.adventistreview.org/issue_toc.php?issue=2010-1529

GENERAL COMMENTS
Once in a while, the Review blows my mind. This time it’s the goofy cover cartoon, “page 7”, and the weirdest illustration ever, for a piece by Ellen White, no less!

WORLD NEWS AND PERSPECTIVES
The ASI convention in Orlando, Florida, was a success. 2000 people showed up for the Sabbath service, and members pledged 1.8 million dollars for missions. Speakers included Mark Finley and Ted and Nancy Wilson.

The death toll in the Pieter Wessels Frail Care facility fire in South African is now 22. Researchers at Loma Linda and George Mason University have made a significant breakthrough in Alzheimer detection. Dowel Chow is now president of Adventist World Radio.

Jamaica’s Northern Caribbean University team of Dwayne Samuels, Markel Mairs, Shawn McLean, and Derron Brown, took first place in the category of Interoperability at the 2010 World Microsoft Imagine Cup, held this year in Warsaw, Poland.

REVIEWS
Stephen Chavez’ editorial, LIFELINES, is a celebration of friendship.

WHAT THE AUSSIES TAUGHT ME by Roy Adams involves the ingestion of Marmite (pronounced MAR-myet), a yeast extract spread on food, like butter, and second chances.

PAGE 7 is a cautionary tale about the effect education has on an institutionally fostered belief like “We are living in the last days of earth’s history” and “Jesus is coming soon”. This study suggests that the Adventist emphasis on tertiary educational is counterproductive when considered in relationship to overall membership growth. It also suggests that evangelistic efforts organized around the imminent Second Coming will be most successful with “those with a high school education or lower”. (To read the full survey and all responses, click here)

(click to enlarge)

Leo R. Van Dolson might be taken for a progressive if he’s not careful. In his VOICE WITH A DIFFERENCE, he includes this paragraph:

“Actually, the Ten Commandments are merely God’s minimums of Christlike behavior. As Jesus pointed out, there are no maximums. The more Christlike we become, the greater the challenge that looms ahead. There always is room to become more Christlike. But it is impossible for us 
to accomplish it on our own. Only by God’s power at work in us can we achieve those ideals that are higher than the highest human thought can reach. That is what Jesus was trying to impress on the minds of those who felt that the highest ideal was to be like the Pharisees.”

CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE is another report from our intrepid Moscow reporter, Andrew McChesney. In this installment from his life and times, he and God take credit for the success of the Russian newspaper he works for.

When he was growing up Adventist, Lynell LaMountain got involved with BUMPERS, SANDBOXES, AUTOGRAPHS, AND THE POWER OF JESUS. Two quotes from this cover feature are memorable. “I’m part of a freedom movement—I’m part of a liberation force that’s carrying the good news to people.” And “The number of people at my resurrection is far more important than the number of people at my funeral.”

The words and sentiment of SPIRIT-DRIVEN by Ellen G. White are overshadowed by this creepy illustration.



EVEN THOUGH, NEVERTHELESS by Gwen Ashley is the most thoughtful piece in this issue.

“Even though” and “nevertheless”; I’ve come to realize that these words [of my mother] are loaded with enormous spiritual implications. They say something important about a person’s attitude and life perspective. These words separate two opposing positions and point up the tension between those positions. “Even though” acknowledges that there is indeed evil in the world, because of Satan. But “nevertheless” affirms that there is also good, thanks to God. Most important, these words confirm that good will overcome evil.

BIBLES FOR A NEW LIFE, reported by Sandra Blackmer updates this special project funded by Review readers and Hope for Humanity.

“Through the support of Hope for Humanity, more than 30,000 [Indian] women have benefited from the literacy classes,” Kore says. “Although some of them could not go beyond signing their names, all have heard health messages and received counseling and tips on how to have a better quality of life. This has made a positive impact on the families, the churches, and the neighborhoods.”

In 2009, 3,756 students (1,771 Adventists, 428 other Christians, and the rest Hindus and Muslims) regularly attended literacy classes. More than 3,700 completed the course; 221 accepted Jesus as their Savior; and 26 new Adventist congregations were organized. Although being able to read and write is something most of us take for granted, for the women in the literacy program, it dramatically changes not only their own lives but also the lives of their families. Personal stories in SUD’s Women’s Ministries Department’s 2009 closing report evidence these life-changing results. (Learn more at www.hope4.com)

LASIK SURGERY—A GOOD ALTERNATIVE? Allan R. Handysides and Peter N. Landless offer their usual good advice about LASIK surgery and Alzheimer’s disease.

‘We suggest that you consult a reputable ophthalmologist who is experienced in the procedure, and ask them all your questions so you know exactly what to expect.”

“There is still a lot we need to learn about Alzheimer’s, and though many factors that seem to influence the disease have been identified, none prevents the disease absolutely. Until we find the cause and mechanism, we do well to live in a way that promotes  all-round health.”

MORE LIKE FALLING IN LOVE, PART 1 is Jimmy Phillips’ take on intimate relationships and the value of communication.

“Our relationship with God, in ideal form, is meant to mirror our most intimate human relationship. It should be more than acquaintance or even friendship. It’s marriage—for this life and beyond. God even says it Himself, often referring to the church—and the individuals who form it—as His bride. In theory, we all understand this concept. In reality, especially when it comes to communication (i.e., prayer), we don’t always practice it.”

ETC—AT REST
BATES, Dorothy Gladys Rennewantz Oliver Noyes—b. July 24, 1911, Dayton, Wash.; d. Mar. 6, 2010, Visalia, Calif.
GRIFFITH, Barbara J.—b. July 17, 1931, San Francisco, Calif.; d. Jan. 14, 2010, San Diego, Calif.
HEMME, Leeta E.—b. Apr. 24, 1919, Chowchilla, Calif.; d. Apr. 4, 2010, Meadow Vista, Calif.
HILDE, Dorothea E.—b. Feb. 26, 1913, Williston, N.Dak.; d. Dec. 16, 2009, Castle Rock, Colo.
WILLISON, Clark M.—b. Nov. 12, 1912, Hickory Corners, Mich.; d. March 30, 2009, Orange Beach, Ala.

Melissa Walden’s SUNDAY PREACHER’S LADY is the story about a “ woman “who through a simple act of kindness, changed the direction of [a woman’s] life and gave her hope and the assurance of God’s love and care. She would be forever grateful for her compassion”.

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