May, 2011
Vol. 7, No. 5
Adventist World is free online. For that reason, I only review or comment on articles and editorials that I believe to be of special interest.
REVIEWS AND COMMENTS
CHURCH WORKS
This section is particularly informative this time around. It includes Ted Wilson’s essay, FREEDOM TO CHOOSE, and reflects his uncompromising traditional views regarding the Investigative Judgment. His support of religious liberty does not include “things that are completely against God’s law”. Perhaps he had California’s Proposition 8 in mind. The piece also includes some naively disconcerting words about religion and politics when viewed in light of La Sierra University’s one-year AAA probation period.
“Christ’s work for our salvation did not end with His death on the cross. He is interceding for us now in the Most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary. The investigative judgment begun in 1844 (Dan. 8:14) revolves largely around choices, as the records of each individual’s choice for or against God is being made public.
“This is why Seventh-day Adventists vigorously promote the protection of the religious rights of any person. We want to protect the right of every person to make a decision for God. Of course, we do not want to protect inappropriate things that are completely against God’s law, but we want everyone to be able to have the choice of believing in a loving and powerful God who has provided salvation for each of us. While we wish everyone would know and love the God of Scripture, we don’t force this on anyone. Forcing someone to do even right things goes against God’s will and plays into Satan’s lie about God. God must be obeyed out of love. This is the essence of religious liberty.”
“As we look back in history, we can see that whenever religion and politics are closely united, there is a potential for abuse. Often when predominant religious organizations have access to social and political leverage, there is the potential for diminishing personal freedoms for those who may not be in the majority.”
Paul Brantley, the GC General Vice President for Strategic Planning and Assessment assures readers in CAN WE BE ADVENTIST AND EXCELLENT TOO? (only in the print edition) that “we in the North American Division are available to provide guidance with any entity…that wishes to work within church structure [including individual churches] to construct a system of planning and assessment”. I wonder how many churches will take advantage of this offer.
In SUCCESSFUL HOSTING NET 2011, Errol N. McLean quotes a document produced at the 2010 Annual Council. “The church’s growth rate is simply not keeping up with the world’s burgeoning population. An honest evaluation of our current evangelistic impact on the world leads to the conclusion that unless there is a dramatic change, we will not complete Heaven’s assignment in this generation.” NET evangelism is not an effective evangelistic tool. Church pastors who would like to see NET money spent in ways that would directly benefit their local parishes.
ARTICLES THAT CAUGHT MY EYE
I sure that Sung K. Kwon would put that NET 2011 money to better use in his community services programs. WHEN YOU CARE ENOUGH outlines the variety of community service programs supported by the GC that are proven soul winners.
Allan R. Handysides and Peter N. Landless have written a concise, informative, and up-to-date discussion on HYPERTENSION. It’s a MUST READ even if your heart isn’t giving you trouble.
Adugnaw Worku’s, A HAND OUT AND A HAND UP, is a terrific mission story and amazing autobiography. It’s another MUST READ.
Ellen White’s books are being published as modern paraphrases for a variety of audiences. William Fagel tells that story in ADAPTING THE WRITINGS OF ELLEN WHITE.
If you are FREE TO CHOOSE, skip the essay on free will by Angel Manuel Rodriguez. Its obfuscation of the subject fails to elucidate.
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