Modified from the comic Dilbert, by Scott Adams
(click to enlarge)
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Reviewing the Adventist Review
June 28, 2012
Vol. 189, No.18
http://www.adventistreview.org/index.php?issue=2012-1518
NOTE TO READERS:
WORLD NEWS AND PERSPECTIVES is an important section of each magazine. I don’t usually report on its contents because it is available at the online address I provide with every review.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
This issue has inspired more wry comments than usual. But before I get to those, I want to recommend the following: Andrew McChesney’s NO SECURITY CLEARANCE TO HEAVEN—an account of what it took to get by security that was “tougher than it was for Vic President Joe Biden”, in order to attend Moscow Mayor, Sergei’s Sobyanin’s press conference; S. R. Morris’ FOURTEEN DAYS IN THE BRIG—an incarceration that was an answer to the prayers of two young medics during the Vietnam War; and Handysides and Landless’ informative article about the dangers of SUGARS AND ARTIFICIAL SWEETNERS.
COMMENTS
Lael Caesar’s editorial, KNOWING, begins with his own, idiosyncratic, definition of epistemology* Epistemology is really about whether we stand on solid ground or shifting sand. Biblical revelation answers that knowing is sound if we will listen to God. I assume that this definition provides the rational for his concluding assertion: Objective, antisupernaturalist consideration of inanimate objects—blocks, stones, and worse-than-senseless things—will never grant to searching humans the power to know liberating truth.
*Epistemology is about issues having to do with the creation and dissemination of knowledge in particular areas of inquiry. (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
SOUTH AMERICA’S EVANGELISM SUCCESS [IS] A CHALLENGE FOR ALL according to Mark A. Kellner. The North American Division might have the same “success” if nonAdventists could be baptized simply upon expression of belief in the Gospel message of love and neighborliness—discussion of specific doctrines to follow.
Two articles, THE EXTREME MAKEOVER by Keith Trumbo and CAN GREED BE BEAT by Larry R. Evans treat the biblical Flood Story as fact. In both cases, the authors’ arguments do not require it, and that particular revelation reduces their credibility.
“THE APPLE DOESN’T FALL FAR FROM…” by Edsel Cadet categorically asserts physiological, social, and spiritual truths that are questionable: Whether environmental or genetic, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…What your mother was like, you will be like. What your father was like, you too will be like. This is true not only with our physical appearance and personality, but also with our spiritual lives and our struggle with sin, because traits pass along not only physically or socially but also spiritually.
Cadet also lists the following illegitimate solutions to a legitimate need for intimacy and bonding: premarital sex, lust, pornography, masturbation, things of that nature. The expression, “things of that nature,” reminds me that those words were part of a campfire admonition delivered by a deadly serious youth pastor at junior camp. I’m still wondering what he had in mind.
In HELPFUL HOPE, Delbert W. Baker doesn’t quite get the job done when he defines hope. His definition sounds to me like “confidence”. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands. For me, “hope” enables me to keep alive my dreams of a better world.
THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS by Cathy Payne is a story in which God gets credit for saving the life of a dog. However, He seems to be unable to prevent the dog’s subsequent kidney failure or a neighbor’s untimely death.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Reviewing Spectrum
Fall, 2011
Volume 40, Issue 2
http://spectrummagazine.org/
GENERAL COMMENTS
I had great hopes for this issue. The cover art is arresting, cool, and sexy, and the last women’s Spectrum was brilliant. I wasn’t prepared to be disappointed and bored. Disappointed, because so much talent had been expended in the tortured biblical defense of women as equal partners. Enough already! It’s so 19th century it’s pathetic. Bored, because the progressive and reactionary theological skirmish lines have been drawn and defended, ad nauseam.
In DRIFT, OR ADVENTIST IDEALS AT RISK, Charles Scriven assumes that “Adventist ideals” are generally progressive. Lots of luck pushing that idea in the Fundamental Beliefs Review Committee, no matter the “somewhat encouraging point of view” of Artur Stele.
Reinder Bruinsma equivocates on the question, IS COHABITATION ALWAYS WRONG? Whatever else might be said, a relationship that merits divine approval is not identified by just looking at the label that human beings may attach to it. It is rather the relationship that truly represents a covenant between two people who have joined their lives together, with God as their witness.
And then contributors discuss domestic violence. Conclusion: it’s a bad thing, and it occurs with appalling regularity in Adventist homes worldwide. (References and Bibliography—3 ½ pages)
The memorable piece in this “discussion” is BROKEN BRIDGES by Stephen Sundin.
And then there was STUDENT POETRY AND ART contributed from students attending Adventist colleges and universities. “Bridgework” by Midori Yoshimura, Pacific Union College, takes home the prize.
The New York Times crosswords have nothing on Caleb Rasmussen’s effort on the back cover. Tough! Answers upside down on page 27.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Reviewing the Adventist Review
June 21, 2012
Vol. 189, No.17
http://www.adventistreview.org/index.php?issue=2012-1517
NOTE TO READERS:
WORLD NEWS AND PERSPECTIVES is an important section of each magazine. I don’t usually report on its contents because it is available at the online address I provide with every review.
GENERAL COMMENTS
Stephen Chavez is my favorite, when it comes to Review editors. His is a quiet voice of reason and inclusion. In his editorial, LET THE DEBATE BEGIN, he asks for warring factions in the church to talk together, not so that religious or political views will change, but so that the dialogue will humanize us—help us realize that we are brothers and sisters under the skin. A worthy goal.
Wilona Karimabadi stirred up some of the trouble Stephen wants to avoid with a discussion question on the Review Facebook page about eating out on Sabbath. And so it was in that spirit that I posed a question that I knew would get many responses. It was simply this: eating out on Sabbath. Big deal or not a big deal? And 42 people let us know what the deal was.
INFORMATION AND CREATION by Werner Renz. If, as he hypothesizes, those believing in a literal six-day creation week are often labeled as “fundamentalist” and considered naive or hostile to science. This not only happens outside our church but increasingly informs the discourse within our church. There seems to be, both open and smoldering below the surface, a “six-day war” within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, what can be done about it?
Attacking the science and scientific thinking doesn’t seem to further that goal. Renz’, a retired pastor and radio producer, reports that the following pronouncements effectively call into question the scientific thinking that questions a six day literal creation, among other things:
if we are not able to locate the entity of information within the complex process of evolution, we would need to start from zero regarding the big bang and evolution… “Information is an entity that precedes energy and matter, because it quantifies energy and determines the form of matter.” In other words, information structures matter—truly “formation."
The problem is that scientists working with the fundamentals of evolution brew this “cosmic stew” within a closed system called “self-organization.” By extension it includes science, evolution, and many other facets of the scientific worldview. However, there is another model of reality, distinct from the one I just described. This cybernetic model of reality is open for external input. Information is not necessarily part of the system but can enter the system and within the natural laws point to a “last” or ultimate reality. The “cybernator” (does this word actually exist?) is the pilot, or the creator, or the programmer writing software code.
Moderator’s Question: Editors, what are your publication standards?
THE CAPTAIN GOES TO CHURCH by James R. Nix was a disappointment. It detailed a goofy fraud perpetrated on gullible Adventist leaders in 1899. However the lesson to be learned from reading the story is vital. “Large sums of money, or the promise of it, earn the philanthropist power and influence—often to the detriment of the church.”
In THE GRAND INQUISITOR, we learn that Cliff Goldstein is of the opinion that The Brothers Karamazof by Dostoyevsky is the greatest novel ever written; it’s greatest chapter, The Grand Inquisitor.
Jesus Christ returns to earth, not in heavenly glory on bright clouds of angels, but “in that human shape in which He walked among men for three years fifteen centuries ago.” The time and place of this advent are awkward for the church: Seville, Spain, in the sixteenth century, where “the day before almost a hundred heretics had, ad majorem gloriam Dei, been burned by the cardinal, the Grand Inquisitor, in a magnificent auto da fé, in the presence of the king, the court, the knights, the cardinals, the most charming ladies of the court, and the whole population of Seville.”
Jesus is arrested, and is to be burned at the stake the next day following an interrogation by the Grand Inquisitor. What do you think happens? All is revealed in the greatest chapter of the greatest novel ever written. It’s obviously a MUST READ.
Hyveth Williams provides her selected list of RESOURCES FOR RECOVERY for those struggling with hidden childhood despair, emotional/mental stresses, and soul wounds related to childhood neglect or adult violence.
I must confess I liked Andy Nash when he was a progressive. Now he’s taking smug shots at his old friends. Come on Andy, we’re the ones championing women’s ordination, questioning fundamentalism, advocating brotherhood inside a broad religious tent, and enlightened views on homosexuality. A MEETING WITH ADVENTIST PROGRESSIVES isn’t a meeting, it’s a sellout.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Reviewing the Adventist Review
June 14, 2012
Vol. 189, No.16
http://www.adventistreview.org/index.php?issue=2012-1516
NOTE TO READERS:
WORLD NEWS AND PERSPECTIVES is an important section of each magazine. I don’t usually report on its contents because it is available at the online address I provide with every review.
GENERAL COMMENTS
Reading this issue was a bit of a slog. However, I do have a comment or two.
COMMENTS
Bill Knott’s editorial, THE PROBLEM WITH NOSTALGIA, only discussed life style. Our church’s problem is that our leadership is in love with nineteenth century theology.
IN MAKING AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE, Charles Medley reminded readers that 50,000 Adventist raised young people attend public and private colleges and universities that aren’t Adventist institutions. He argues that local churches should “shower these students with love”. He leaves the important question unanswered: “Why aren’t these students not beating down the doors of Adventist institutions of higher learning?”
WORLD NEWS AND PERSPECTIVES chronicles Ted Wilson’s travels through South America. Along the way, he used ink impressions on the soles [of his feet] to evoke God’s promise to Joshua to receive every place where his feet touched the ground.
SHUT IN AND LEFT OUT by Kimberly Luste Maran, chronicled the fact that homebound members are all too often forgotten by our church. She suggests that readers check out Care Connections. www.adventistreview.org/careconnections
Dixil Rodríguez can be counted on to write a devotional column is consistently well written and thoughtful. She doesn’t disappoint. JUST TRYING TO GET HOME is the story of a random act of kindness that inspires without sentimentality.
Monte Sahlin consistently provides useful information about what is happening in churches across the North American Division. Did you know that the median number of people in attendance at Adventist churches is only 55, the smallest number for any of the major denomination in America? According to Sahlin, only 8 percent of Adventist churches report that their music is contemporary or progressive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)