Table Of Content(cid:9)
LETTERS
Broken Cisterns or Bread of Life? worships and meals, I fmd that keeping thing worthwhile to do on Sabbaths.
For several years our church has been them quiet for 8 to 10 minutes in church Perhaps I am not seeing what is ob-
trying to determine why our young peo- is just too much. Keeping me quiet on my vious to others. If there were tasks that
ple are "going out the back door." We knees is about too much, also. What needed doing and a real need for the
even hired at least one non-Adventist about the older people who have a hard service of dedicated workers for the
to study us and answer that question. time kneeling? Lord, maybe more people would attend
We have changed our music, worship "Prayer is a necessity; for it is the life church.(cid:9) Louise Rea
style, standards, and doctrines; listened of the soul" (Education, p. 258). I be- Walla Walla, Washington
to political figures; hired popular speak- lieve this, but I also think that preachers
ers of other faiths; and divided the con- could be a lot more thoughtful, espe- Pedro's Story
gregation into age groups. But we have cially when they hear children stirring Because of space restrictions, the
gone away from these broken cisterns story of Pedro de Jesus (photograph on
thirsty. page 18, Sept. 10, 1992) was left out.
Some of us older members remember Coming in the Adventist Review Our readers may be interested in his
how we used to feel we had been fed the story.
bread of life, rather than current events, "Don't Miss" articles include: While Carmen Lopez was visiting
social ills, and mostly psychology. We —"Christian Standards," by Jay homes one day, she knocked at a door
have wondered and wondered when our and a young boy of 10 years or so an-
Gallimore. An AnchorPoints
church would read the Spirit of Prophecy swered. She was in the middle of of-
treatment. Dec. 3
and come up with the real answer. You fering the Spanish magazine El Centi-
have finally done it in "Lift Up Jesus" —"Best Books of 1992," selected nela when the boy began to call his
(Sept. 10). I hope every administrator and reviewed. Dec. 10 mother excitedly. "Mom, please buy
and every pastor will read it and take it me a whole Centinela. Please!"
—"A Circle of Love," by John
to heart.(cid:9) Edna Canaday The boy's mother looked at Carmen's
Fowler. AnchorPoints takes up
College Place, Washington puzzled look and explained, laughing.
God's law. Dec. 17
"It's just that the boy's father sends him
El Mundo (a major Puerto Rican news-
And for the first issue of 1993:
I thank you for sharing with our ministers paper) wrapped in sheets of El Centinela
in particular Ellen White's article "Lift —"Seven Needs of the Church," and he enjoys reading the wrapping bet-
Up Jesus." Having been the wife of a by the seven Review editors. ter than the newspaper!" After they all
conference president, I found in conver- had a good laugh Carmen was invited in,
sation after conversation that our church and from that time forward Pedro de
members are starved to hear the Word of Jesus began to attend church regularly.
God preached with conviction. They and making noises. Maybe they don't He eventually was baptized, and when
want to know that their pastor is deeply hear them as they are engrossed in prayer he was old enough to go to college he
concerned for their eternal salvation and to God, but if they do, it would be kind decided to study for the ministry at At-
that his attitude is as the Bible clearly of them to have compassion on parents. lantic Union College. He subsequently
states: "Take not thy holy spirit" from Charlotte Robinson pastored the Rio Piedras church in Puerto
us. Decatur, Arkansas Rico (the country's largest Adventist
I pray that all our pastors will read this congregation) and the Prospect Avenue
article and we will see more weeping Older Women . . . church in New York City.
"between the porch and the altar." We What do older women want? Here's Pastor de Jesus, now retired, lives
sheep need to be fed!(cid:9) June Loor what one in the "young 60s" wants: an with his wife in Florida.
Naples, North Carolina invitation to help with the work of has- Lourdes E. Morales-Gudmundsson
tening the Lord's return. I am a willing North Haven, Connecticut
Younger Women . . . worker with at least some capabilities,
Lately preachers seem to think that the but I confess lack of creativity and the
longer the prayers said in public, the bet- need to be told what to do.
ter it makes the service. Is this not in During a recent, unsettled five-year
direct contradiction to Ellen White's period of my life I visited many Letters should not exceed 250 words and
counsel that long prayers should be said churches, and every week I wished I should carry the writer's name, address, and
in a closet so people won't be tired out could hear calls for volunteers to help telephone number. All will be edited to meet
space and literary requirements, but the au-
from them? with some phase of the local outreach. It
thor's meaning will not be changed.. Views ex-
I am the mother of small children, and would have helped me get acquainted pressed in the letters do not necessarily repre-
while we pray with them for evening with new friends, and given me some- sent those of the editors or denomination.
2 (1170) ADVENTIST REVIEW, NOVEMBER 5, 1992
-\-DVENTIS(cid:9) I
rl--
NOVEMBER 5. 1992
DEPARTMENTS ARTICLES
2 Letters ANCHORPOINTS
10
Why Did Jesus Die?
6 Newsbreak
In Christ's atonement a monumental price was paid to ac-
14 From the Heart
complish reconciliation between us as fallen sinners and our
righteous God.(cid:9) by George Reid
15 Global Mission
16 Children's Corner
LIFESTYLE
21 Faith Alive! 18 Why I Work for the Homeless 18 They're God's
children too
27 Focus on North Before Christ came into my life, I had no time for the problems
America
of others. But Jesus took away my heart of stone and gave me
a heart of flesh.(cid:9) by Irma R. Lee
31 Reflections
EDITORIALS
FEATURE
4 Millennial 22 Crisis in Somalia
Expectations
Adventists are searching for ways to help in what has been
5 My Friend Ken called the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today.
by Nina Martinez
NEXT WEEK
"The Creation of 22 Somalia—a test
Ellen White's Writ- FOCUS ON NORTH AMERICA of our humanity
27
ings" How the proph- Hurricane Andrew: The Church Responds
et's books were put
Even before the hurricane struck, members were planning how
together.
the church would help the victims—and the resulting outpour-
"Marked by Grace" ing of help was tremendous.
We don't deserve
God's mercy any
more than Cain did.
Cover painting by
Mark Stutzman
General paper of the Subscriber Services Larry Burtnett Lessa, Portuguese; editor, Werner Mayr, To place your order, send your name, Texts credited to NEB are from The New
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ADVENTIST REVIEW, NOVEMBER 5, 1992 (1171) 3
EDITORIAL
Millennial Expectations
The headline on the cover of Time percent; no opinion, 16 percent. had almost completely abandoned such a
magazine grabs my attention. "Spe- I pause for a moment and wonder how belief, Miller tried to dismiss himself on
cial Issue," it heralds. "Beyond the to interpret this. The high percentage of the basis of being a farmer, not a trained
Year 2000 —What to Expect in the New those who believe in the second coming speaker. But through God's grace, in
Millennium." of Jesus actually surprises me. I wouldn't 1831 he began sharing his newfound be-
I pick it up and thumb through its con- have guessed it to be so strong in the lief in the coming of Jesus and didn't stop
tents, pulled irresistibly along by my al- general U.S. population. preaching until 1844.
most born-in Adventist interest in unrav- But the high percentage of those who Tens of thousands of people from all
eling the mysteries of the future. What I don't think Jesus will return in the next denominations heard his lectures and gave
find are intriguing insights into what thousand years or have no opinion also their hearts to the Lord.
some authors think the twenty-first cen- surprises me and prods my thinking about After several dates in 1843 and early
tury will bring. the challenge that lies before us. Often- 1844 passed without Christ's coming,
Predictors speak of the average life times our efforts seem directed toward October 22, 1844, was settled upon for
span reaching 100, cures for cancer and preaching the finer details of Christian life. His return. Adventists gathered on As-
the common cold, continuing global eco- But if this poll says anything to us, it says cension Rock, joining tens of thousands
nomic struggles, greater pollution, a loud and clear, We have a great summons across New England, hoping it would be
world population of 11 billion by 2050, to proclaim the undeniable truth that Jesus the day Jesus would come.
education not by grade levels but paced is coming back—and soon! But He didn't. And great disappoint-
to students' own achievement levels, Ro- This was the hope of the New Testa- ment set in. Most Millerites went back to
man Catholicism remaining the largest ment believers and writers—who spoke their normal business; some called it all
component of the Christian faith, and of it more than 300 times. And clearly it a big hoax. But a few went back to their
science no longer at odds but a friend of was the burning hope of our church's Bibles and discovered that Jesus wasn't
Christian faith because of the increasing earliest pioneers, who chose to put their supposed to come back to earth in 1844,
intricacies found in biology that point to belief right up front for all to see — but was to begin a new phase of ministry
no other source than a Creator-God. Seventh-day Adventists. in the heavenly sanctuary on behalf of
And I find fascinating the answers humankind, and then come.
given by 800 randomly selected adult Only a few weeks ago I had the priv- From this small handful grew the nu-
Americans in what Time calls the future ilege for the first time to stand on cleus of today's Seventh-day Adventist
poll—of items likely to occur in the what is now called Ascension Rock on Church.
twenty-first century. the William Miller homestead in upstate
0 75 percent think scientists will find New York, near the Vermont border. he question now comes to each of us
a cure for AIDS. On this rocky outcropping on October 1 today. Are we still Seventh-day Ad-
0 43 percent believe humans will 22, 1844, a group of Christians gathered ventists, Advent-ists? Unshakable be-
make regular trips to other planets. for what they expected to be their last day lievers in the return of Jesus?
0 32 percent expect beings who live on on earth. Jesus was coming. In the New Testament such a belief
other planets to contact humans. It was William Miller's preaching that shook the world. In the early 1800s the
0 22 percent foresee a one-world gov- had stirred these people. After giving up renewed emphasis upon it again shook the
ernment ruling the entire planet. skepticism in 1816, he studied his Bible world. Today we must again shake our-
0 11 percent think there will be one intensely for two years and came to the selves and the world with this belief. Even
worldwide religion. conclusion, in 1818, that Jesus would the trends around us should shake us out of
0 55 percent expect religion will play return in 1843 (later 1844) at the end of our lethargy and help us sense that Jesus'
a greater role in the lives of people in this the 2300-year prophecy mentioned in coming is sooner than we might think.
country after the year 2000. Daniel 8:14.2
Another question catches my eye: "Will Wary of being wrong, he restudied his Time, Fall 1992.
the second coming of Jesus Christ occur findings for five years. Still convinced of Wi2l lSiaeme PMaiullle Gr oarnddo tnh,e H18e4r4a lMd oovf etmhee nMt i(dBnoigishet, CIdrayh—o:
sometime in the next thousand years?" Jesus' soon return and of his duty to Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1990).
The answers? Yes, 53 percent; No, 31 present such good news to a world that MYRON WIDMER
4 (1172)
ADVENTIST REVIEW, NOVEMBER 5, 1992
GUEST EDITORIAL
My Friend Ken
T
t bothers me when I think about it now. Things didn't improve when we went him there. I gave the devotional at the
1We can be so unkind to others when off to academy, either. The social scene opening, and we proceeded through the
peer pressure decides that one of us is to in high school years is so rigid and harsh events of the morning's agenda. At the
be the target of ridicule. I guess it both- on "outsiders." The "beautiful people" lunch break I was walking back through
ered me then, too. But I didn't know and the campus leaders didn't have much the crowd in the auditorium when some-
what I should do to protect my friend time for Ken. He was just not part of one called my name and gave me the hug
Ken. what was going on. And certainly he was of a reunited friendship. It was my friend
He was a grade or two behind me in not on the list for "man most likely to Ken. He was a delegate from his church.
school—a small church school with two succeed." He thanked me for my words of en-
rooms and about 15 or so in each room. The class "prophecy" was always a couragement in the devotional, then tears
And for various reasons we decided great joke, as we tried to guess what we filled his eyes. "What is it, Ken?" I
somehow that Ken was the one to pick would all become. And strangely asked. "I just received word that my
on. mother died this morning," he said. I did
It wasn't a conscious decision—after my best to comfort him, remembering
all, who could make such a choice by He changed the way I look his mother and sensing his loss. Then I
rational means? But perverse group de- asked what kind of work he was doing.
cisions are made, and someone is se- He told me he was the director of house-
lected to be the outsider—the subject of at things—and people. keeping at a large hospital. And that in
derision. Perhaps it gives us some kind of the process of his work he had developed
sick assurance that the rest of us are a ministry for AIDS victims, which he
"OK" if we act like someone else is was also directing through his local
substandard. enough, this humorous look of prognos- church.
Who makes these rules, anyway? Who tication often proved true. Phil indicated So our quest was wrong in the first
decides what is proper or "in" for so- that he wanted to become a physician, place. It was not the "man most likely to
ciety? Who is it that imposes these arti- which he did. Bernie wanted to become succeed" that we needed to know, but a
ficial requirements of looks and breeding a high school teacher, and he did. Rae whole new definition of success. Salt of
and articulation and expression and wanted to be a writer and editor, and she the earth, faithful servant of the church,
wealth and intellect and physical prow- is. And Dud wanted to be an engineer, compassionate minister to the
ess and . . . ? Whoever it was decided that which he is. I indicated my intent to be ailing—my friend Ken. "So the last shall
Ken was out. a minister, and sure enough, I am. But I be first, and the first last. . . . Whosoever
He wasn't well coordinated, at least as never really knew what Ken wanted to will be great among you, let him be your
far as we could tell. He was younger and do. We just never gave it much minister" (Matt. 20:16-26). We thought
always at the end of "choose-ups" for thought—as if somehow it wasn't im- we knew so well who would succeed and
sports activities. He stammered a bit, but portant. After all, he wasn't going to be who would not —but as Scripture in-
it never occurred to us that perhaps it was a doctor or a teacher or a preacher or in quires, "Who art thou that judgest?"
because we were always putting him one of the glamour professions. (Rom. 14:4).
down and telling him to shut up. Ken and I exchanged reminiscent con-
He struggled with schoolwork, and the After Many Years versation. I have not seen him again and
teachers seemed to have to make accom- For a long time, I didn't think of Ken. don't know when I will. But he changed
modations in an attempt to make him at And for years our paths did not cross. It the way I look at things—and people.
least feel a part of things. I remember one was not that I didn't care about him. He God sees a ministry for all His children.
of our Christmas programs. You know was my friend and school chum. But Now I pray that I will see it too—for
how they are done. Poems to learn, songs somehow across years and miles of sep- others and for myself.
to sing, skits and things. And Ken, pain- aration, I just didn't think of him.
fully shy as he was, struggled with the Then it fell my lot to attend the con- GARY B. PATTERSON
recitation of his few lines in the Christ- ference session in Ken's territory. It Assistant to the President
mas poem. didn't even occur to me that I might see North American Division
ADVENTIST REVIEW, NOVEMBER 5, 1992 (1173) 5
NEWSBREAK
NAD Year-End Report
The top items on the agenda of the 1992 North American
Division year-end meetings October 12-15 included a call
to discipleship, revitalization, and evangelism by president
Alfred C. McClure; the introduction of a division-wide prayer
thrust and programs to reclaim former Adventist members;
new evangelistic strategies to reach youth, African Americans,
Hispanics, and Asians; new statements on divisive ministries,
affirmative action, and college and university governance.
NAD Leaders Called
To Discipleship
Alfred C. McClure (center, left) chairs the four-day meetings.
When North American Division president Alfred C. walk" (Acts 3:6 NIV).
McClure took the podium to make his opening address at the With that biblical account as a backdrop, McClure pressed
division's year-end meetings, his heart was burdened. the message that it's high time for the Adventist Church in
Speaking to more than 160 NAD committee members and North America to be aggressive in spreading the gospel of
guests who gathered at the Adventist Church world head- Jesus Christ.
quarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, McClure expressed his "Let us use the abundance of existing methodologies that
"great wish" for them and himself: "that we would be recog- are tried and true, those things that have served the church
nized as disciples of Jesus. Not rumored to be, not thought to and its growth in the past," he exclaimed. "At the same
be, not alleged to be, but clearly recognized and identified as time, let us not be so afraid to do something new that we
His disciples." make no attempt to reach new people in new places with
McClure drove home new ideas."
the point that being a dis- McClure's desire to revitalize the church and mobilize its
ciple, being with Jesus, forces for a division-wide evangelistic thrust was echoed in
will make all the differ- the days that followed, as church leaders spent considerable
ence in the leaders' qual- time on their knees in prayer during the discussion of many
ity of ministry and will weighty issues.
have great impact on the
Adventist Church's mis- Church Progress
sion. In the report of the NAD secretary, Harold Baptiste
To illustrate his point, spoke on the progress of the church in North America.
McClure used the story Membership reached 778,349 as of June 30, 1992, a net
Y of Peter's healing the increase of 10,910, or 1.4 percent, over 1991. For the
O
TR crippled beggar who sat at same period, 35,762 people joined the church. However,
N
E the Temple gate. When apostasies and missing totaled 15,502, or an amount equal
W
D O the beggar asked for to 43 percent of the incoming members, up from 39 per-
N
A money, Peter told him, cent in 1991.
Y
LE "Silver and gold I do not During the Global Mission thrust, which started at the 1990
D
E
M have, but what I have I General Conference session, 70,087 new members joined
S
LO Canadian Union President Douglas give you. In the name of North American churches. That's 38 percent of its 1990-1995
R
CA Devnich voices his concerns. Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Global Mission baptismal goal of 182,950.
Y
B
S
TO By Carlos Medley, Adventist Review news editor; assisted by The spiritual tone set by Elder McClure's opening address
O
PH Owen A. Troy, NAD communication director.(cid:9) carried on throughout the session. A whole day was set
6 (1174) ADVENTIST REVIEW, NOVEMBER 5, 1992
NEWSBREAK
aside to discuss ways in which the church can be revitalized various ethnic church leaders on evangelistic programs to
and motivated to even greater service. The session partici- reach African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians.
pants voted "in concept" a three-part plan for church growth The master plan for outreach to African-Americans projects
that was recommended by the NAD think tank on evange- an increase in church membership and attendance in regional
lism. (Black) conferences to 500,000 by the year 2000. Currently
The division-wide thrust encourages members to pray for a there are 177,000 members in the nine regional conferences.
spirit of service, reach out and reclaim former Adventists, and To reach this objective, Black church leaders want to hold a
take an active part in evangelism. series of large evangelistic efforts starting in 1993.
Prayer Ministry. The first resolution, "Seeking His Spirit Asian leaders have targeted California, Hawaii, and New
for Service," invites all church leaders in North America to York where 60 percent of the Asians in the United States
form prayer vigils, asking God for a new spirit of service. reside, for their evangelistic thrust. . To launch efforts in these
The action also invites leaders to develop materials and states, a division-wide meeting of Asian workers is planned in
resources for the local churches on prayer and encourages all 1993 to teach Asian pastors and workers how to train the laity.
church members to become involved in prayer groups. The Hispanic leaders in North America are projecting 100,000
prayer groups will function to ask God's blessing on the fol- members by 1995. Currently, there are an estimated 64,000
lowing projects. Hispanics in the NAD. To accomplish this goal, Hispanic
Reclaiming Former Members. Church leaders and mem- leaders want to train 25 percent of all Hispanic laypersons to
bers are to appeal individually to every former or inactive hold cottage meetings, seminars, and Bible studies. The plans
Adventist in North America to return call for evangelistic meetings in 40
to active participation in the church. cities in 1993 and 1994. By 1995 it is
With the help of members across hoped that Hispanic congregations
North America, NAD officials hope will be organized in every conference
to gather names and addresses of with a significant Hispanic population.
500,000 inactive members and former
members by next spring. Positive Reaction
Pastors will also train members in Reaction to the NAD programs
the skills of visitation and how to cre- came swiftly. Many committee mem-
ate a warm, accepting climate for bers voiced their appreciation for the
church visitors and returning mem- spiritual tone of the whole session.
bers. It is hoped that 50,000 inactive In response to the call for a divi-
members will attend a special Sabbath sion-wide prayer vigil, many leaders
day service built around the theme expressed their appreciation and gave
"Rejoice With Me." In early 1994, testimonies.
churches will be urged to develop fol- "Something is happening to me as
low-up events. It is hoped that 25,000 I have been participating this morn-
former members will rejoin the Heather Smith (right) will represent the ing," said Gordon L. Retzer, Rocky
Adventist Church by June 30, 1994. Chesapeake Conference on the church's 1993 rose Mountain Conference president. "I
The projected costs for a national parade float. She was introduced at the session by just thank you for the [prayer]
mailing, computer software, instruc- Pathfinder coordinator Norman Middag. emphasis. We're frustrated leaders.
tional video, and other resources total We're up against certain walls that
more than $1 million. NAD leaders hope to raise the money don't seem to be moving, one of them being evangelism.
from members through direct donations either to the division I'm thankful to the Lord for what is happening."
or through local churches. "I think this is wonderful—what I've seen here today,"
Youth Evangelism. As part of the youth strategy said Robert D. Rider, Oklahoma Conference president. "Our
academies will be encouraged to offer Bible labs involving conference has been involved in this for about three years.
students giving Bible studies or presenting a youth evange- This will drive you to your knees, and you will experience the
lism series. Congregations also will be encouraged to pro- greatest miracles that have ever taken place."
vide youth who do not attend Adventist schools outreach "I'm thrilled at what I see this morning," said David
opportunities. Wolkwitz, Michigan Conference secretary, "but it's the
Teachers will be trained in the art of leading people to Jesus specific need of the power [of the Holy Spirit] that we
Christ and will be encouraged to teach these skills to students. should prayer for as never before. I don't want to get that
Target Markets. In addition to the reclamation, prayer, specific need lost in that which we all believe—the impor-
and youth projects, the NAD committee heard reports from tance of prayer."
ADVENTIST REVIEW, NOVEMBER 5, 1992 (1175) 7
"It is the lack of conscious dependency on this divine
power that has kept us here for so long," he said.
Acts 15 Time Again
This issue of the Adventist Review carries an insert pre-
pared by leaders of the North American Division. The insert
is a condensation of a book, Issues: The Seventh-day
As part of the opening ceremonies, GC and NAD staff members
Adventist Church and Certain Private Ministries, which is
staged a skit on the Last Supper.
being mailed to all pastors in North America and can be pur-
chased at Adventist Book Centers.
vate organizations have displayed an unwillingness to operate
You will find something unusual in the insert and the
in harmony with denominational procedures and protocol.
book—mention by name of several private organizations that
This has been evidenced by the materials they produce, ver-
are causing church leaders serious concern. Statements of this
bal presentations, and in-depth discussions with many
type are rare; the Adventist tent is large, encompassing a vari-
denominational leaders over a long period of time.
ety of ministers and emphases. As a people, from the begin-
"In view of this situation the Seventh-day Adventist
ning we have encouraged individual freedom of expression.
Church has a responsibility to make clear its relationship to
these organizations. In 1980 the church examined and then
Why Then the Exception?
rejected the rising dissident views relative to the sanctuary
An action of the 1992 year-end meeting, voted unani-
and to prophetic interpretation. Just as the church continues
mously, summarizes the reasons. After applauding the work
to dissociate itself from the Good News Unlimited organiza-
of private supporting ministries, the action declares:
tion, so it must continue to express its grave concerns regard-
"In a few cases, however, private organizations have
ing groups that undermine either the doctrine or structure of
worked at cross-purposes with the denomination, have
the church.
become destructively critical of the leadership of the church,
"Following the model of Acts 15, church leaders must alert
have undermined the
church members to dissidents who either cause dissension in
confidence of mem-
the church or who undermine the central beliefs of the
bers in the organized
church. However, questions regarding individual church
body of believers,
membership are processed by the local congregation and are
and have drained
not within the purview of levels of church governance other
away funds that
than the local church." (The December 5 Review will print the
could have been used
full action.)
in accomplishing the
Sad but necessary—this is how I see this action and the
mission of the
materials prepared to accompany it.
church, thus crip-
Sad—because I know many of the people involved with
pling the evangelistic
the organizations singled out. I feel sure that they meant
outreach of the
well when they embarked on the journey that has brought
church. Such behav-
them to this point. They have seen keenly the need for
ior presents a serious
revival and reformation at all levels, beginning with each of
challenge to the spir-
us as individual Christians. They have lamented the lack of
itual health of the
(cid:9) solid biblical preaching from many pulpits, the seeming
More than 150 leaders from the church body.
(cid:9) drift of some of our institutions. They have said and printed
Bermuda, Canada, and the United "After much
many good things.
States took part in the meetings.(cid:9) prayer, study, and
Let us be quite clear: the church has no desire to quash
repeated discussions
calls for reform and repentance. We need such calls; we need
with the leaders of Hope International, Hartland Institute,
urgency; we need the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Prophecy Countdown, Steps to Life Church in Wichita,
But somehow, somewhere, these organizations lost their
Kansas, and Rolling Hills congregation in Rolling Hills,
way. They began to operate more and more apart from the
Florida, it has become apparent to the church that these pri-
body of Christ. For me, key indicators that they were headed
in the wrong direction were acceptance of tithes, baptizing,
By William G. Johnsson, Adventist Review editor.
and ordination. They have begun to function as separate orga-
(1176)
ADVENTIST REVIEW, NOVEMBER 5.1992
NEWSBREAK
nizations—a church within the church. That's why the action because it sends a clear message to accrediting bodies that the
was necessary. governing boards are autonomous bodies.
I have seen parallel developments over the years. The In the matter of salaries, some accrediting organizations
Shepherd's Rod, Robert Brinsmead, Desmond Ford—points have expressed concern to college officials that remuneration
of theology may differ, but the pattern remains the same. in Adventist colleges is sometimes too low in comparison to
So it's Acts 15 time again. As the apostles of the early other schools.
Christian church came together to discuss and to decide con- Oakwood College financial vice president Dennis Keith
cerning a divisive element in their midst, so Adventist leaders said, "I personally believe we should have some flexibility
have faced Acts 15 at various times in our church's history. to accommodate faculty who are in great need. I believe if
These councils can be painful—we deal with our brothers and we vote the action we will give a sign to the accrediting
sisters—but they must be faced. associations that we are doing the best we can [in the matter
"I saw that the messengers and the church must have com- of compensation]."
passion with some, making a difference," counseled Ellen Some local conference presidents felt the action could
White. "Now the messengers of God must seek wisdom and lead to a disparity in salaries between faculty members and
know how to treat each individual case. All must not be ministers.
treated alike. By close examination it will be seen that indi- "I'm looking for some equity here," said Dakota
vidual cases differ" (manuscript 1, 1855). Conference president Don Shelton. "I'm concerned about the
For that reason I am glad that the action, like the insert and message we send to our pastors [by voting this item]. We do
Issues, comes as an appeal rather than a declaration of war. not have any protective agency that looks out for the pastoral
And I hope—and pray—that the appeal will bear fruit. ministry. We do not have an accrediting body that says, 'We
need to devote more resources for our pastors.' We keep say-
ing that 'we have to do this' because of accrediting bodies.
College and University We say that community [salary] scales demand this. When do
we look out for the pastor?"
Governance Statement Some committee members moved to amend the statement
so that no deviation from NAD remuneration scales would be
Sparks Lively Debate allowed. However, that amendment was voted down, and the
original statement passed.
The issue of salaries is always a delicate one for church lead- More actions from the year-end meetings will be printed in
ers, and that very issue surfaced when the NAD executive com- an upcoming issue of the Adventist Review.
mittee discussed a statement on institutional
governance for NAD colleges and universities.
The statement has two parts. The first part SINGbES
affirms that the board of trustees of each
Adventist college or university in the North
American Division is the governing authority
for that institution in accordance with its arti-
cles of incorporation and bylaws. This means
that all decisions by the board are final and While others make resolutions this New
not subject to review by other church boards
ear's Eve, come make friends.(cid:9) 1.
or entities.
The second part of the statement says the
You've got your pick of two singe adult
governing boards of those same Adventist col-
New Year's retreats. You can join the fun
lege and universities will use the NAD remu- at Camp Kulaqua in.Florida, or at San
neration scales for determining salary levels, Diego, where you'll welcome the new year
while providing, within budgetary limitations, with a yachtful of singles on a moonlit
cruise. Either way, you'll enjoy activities,
some benefit packages in areas such as hous-
seminars, music, and fellowship from
ing, faculty development, and assigned
December 30 to January 3. Write for
responsibilities. details or give us a call at 404-434-5111.
Muni&
Gordon Madgwick, executive secretary of
Ministries. 4467 King Springs Road
the NAD Board of Higher Education, told the Smyrna, Georgia 30082
committee that the action was an important one
AIIVFNTIRT REVIEW WriFIARFR 5 1999 11177, n
Why Did Jesus Die?
How God Saves Us
BY GEORGE REID
ith the end of the first taketh away the sins of the ransom for many" (Matt.
Wcentury of the Chris- world; the conquering King of 20:28).* And echoing Him, Pe-
tian Era and the death kings; the Light of the world. ter says: "You know that you
of John—the last inti- Jesus was seen as the Son of were ransomed from the futile
mate eyewitness of Christ's God—a cosmic deliverer, an ways inherited from your fathers ,
ministry —questions previously emissary from heaven. But also not with perishable things such as
taken for granted began to sur- as the Son of man, identifying silver or gold, but with the pre-
face: Who was Jesus? Why did with us. cious blood of Christ, like that of
He come? Why did He die? One of the most telling pic- a lamb without blemish or spot"
Responses to such queries tures lies in the idea of ransom. (1 Peter 1:18, 19).
came through a host of meta- Jesus says: "The Son of man The idea of ransom was com-
phors found in the Scriptures: came not to be served but to mon in the ancient world. The
the sacrificial Lamb of God that serve, and to give his life as a word indicated something of
value used to reclaim something
from a pawnshop. It also referred
to the purchase of freedom by a
slave. Of course, the ancients
also knew all too well about the
practice of paying ransom for re-
lease of a captured hostage or
prisoner of war. Hence Paul's
comment: "You were bought
with a price; do not become
slaves of men" (1 Cor. 7:23).
The Ransom Price
However, restless imagina-
tions soon went to work, and
raised the question: If ran-
somed, who collected the ran-
som price?
Interestingly, the Bible never
says. Over the centuries a dra-
matic scenario took shape—
part fact, part fiction. Accord-
ing to the tale, a deal was struck
between the Father and Satan.
Adam had sold his rights —
indeed, his soul—to the devil.
Knowing the Father's earnest
desire to have Adam returned,
Satan, with a fiendish cackle,
demanded the ultimate price:
the life of the Son of God, the
final object of Lucifer's hatred.
ADVENTIST REVIEW. NOVEMBER 5. 1992
Description:decided to study for the ministry at At- lantic Union College. He subsequently pastored the Rio Piedras church in Puerto. Rico (the country's largest Adventist congregation) and the Prospect Avenue church in New York City. Pastor de Jesus, now retired, lives with his wife in Florida. Lourdes E. Mor
