Adventist Culture
Thank you for printing David Marshall’s article “Celebrity Culture” (October 2007). And thanks to Marshall for pointing to the elephant in the living room of conservative Adventism. I was rebuked.

We’re great at denouncing the encroachments of popular culture in some areas, but we don’t seem to mind culturing our very own little Hollywood, replete with our very own pantheon of “stars.” But how worldly is that? The author of this long-overdue article skillfully extrapolated this celebrity culture to its final end, which is that “stars” often become fallen stars. Heaven help us if the onus for their apostasy hangs over our idolatrous little heads.

He identified a related problem of “camps.” My prayer is that those of us who value standards, but who are inclined to make them an excuse for separatism, will remember that unity is also a standard (Rom. 15:5, 6; 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 2:2, 3; 2 Cor. 13:11; and 1 Pet. 3:8).

Jennifer Schwirzer
Pennsylvania, United States

In regard to “Celebrity Culture,” we cannot deny that this is taking place in our churches, not only in the United States, but also here in the Caribbean. And it is not only with preachers, but also with singers/musicians. It seems that a lot of people cannot resist the acclamations they receive from large audiences.

Several of our young people, excellent singers, have drifted away from the church congregations to the worldly audiences.

It is not necessarily true that a “great” preacher is a great Christian. The same may be said of singers. The attention has to be drawn to Jesus, but too many times the “performances and shows” of preachers and singers alike draw all attention to themselves.

The human flesh is weak indeed and too much attention makes being a Christian even more difficult. We should lift up the Talent-giver in place of the talent-presenter.

But we shouldn’t too harsh on these people, they are human just like us. We are probably no better should we stand in their shoes.

Norman R. Boekhoudt
Via E-mail

With All Your Mind
I consider the article “With All Your Mind,” by Reinder Bruinsma (August 2007), very thought-provoking and challenging. I have always believed that there is no such thing as a stagnant Christian. I am eager to learn new things, but the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. I fully agree that there must always be a close relationship with knowing and doing, believing, obeying, and sharing.

One of my greatest anticipations of heaven is to have a mind capable of learning, understanding, and enjoying the many marvelous wonders God has in store for the redeemed. With the sin factor removed we will have minds capable of and eager to comprehend beyond what we now scarcely imagine. As we pursue our special interests in heaven, we will be capable of handling every challenge. God will be able to answer all of our troubling questions mentioned in the article, and we will realize that His wisdom will always be far beyond our understanding throughout eternity.

Loneta Pauly
Texas, United States

Why Lucifer?
I’m always interested in Angel Manuel Rodríguez’s section on Bible questions. I was recently reading his article in the July 2007 Adventist World issue. I really like the way he presented the three points; they are very clear and interesting. However, questions will continue to emanate even after such a detailed presentation. Therefore, I suggest that in any of the situations that preachers and teachers face such questions, they should only read the Bible and emphasize the origin of sin in the perfect heaven as mysterious.

Noel Mhosva
Solusi University, Zimbabwe

Adventist World on the Internet
Hello, I am so glad that we can now access Adventist World magazine online. I’m in Uganda, and it takes a long time to get copies of this very good magazine.

May God bless you all at Adventist World!

Henry Namazima
Uganda

Thank you for allowing us to view the magazine on the Internet. Whenever you feel discouraged, just think how many people are depending on your effort. We don’t always write, but we will be here, reading and waiting for the next issue to come. (We don’t always see a printed version: now we have access!)

Andre van der Schyff
South Africa

Jesus Is Still Coming
I am very happy to have read one of your articles in the June 2006 Adventist World, “The Return of Jesus: Is It Still On?” by David Marshall.

This subject (opinion) really made me very happy because I am one of those who believe that Jesus is coming, and I concur with Mr. Rosario Alburo Choi of Ulsan, South Korea (his letter is published in that issue on p. 29).

Thank you also for your efforts to publish this wonderful magazine. Please do send me some of your articles, and if you offer Bible studies please enroll me as one of your Bible study students.

Alex Stanslaus Mossech
Lusaka, Zambia 

While we print a Bible study by Mark Finley in each monthly edition of Adventist World, these are solely for the use of readers—we are not equipped to run a program with students/teachers.

Our advice to this reader and others with similar concerns is to contact the Seventh-day Adventist Church union conference or division office in your region of the world. We are gratified that the magazine is filling this important need. In addition, those with access to the Internet may visit www.adventistworld.org.—Editors.

A Concert, Three Girls, and a Preacher
Mark Finley’s cover story in the September 2007 Adventist World, “A Rock Concert, Three Girls and a Confused Preacher,” spoke so plainly to me—please publish many more articles like this one. Pastor Finley’s story reminds me, “Whether you are a professional pastor speaking in remote places for God, or a wage earner praying to influence others in a secular job setting, or a grandmother with a letter-writing ministry, God is the Power Source, not you.” It’s a “no-brainer,” but still we need constant reminding.

For those of us Adventists longing to feel we are of use to God’s cause and wondering whether we’ll ever see results, this article is an encouragement—what a faith-builder! I’ll remember this story as I pray and then head to work in the mornings—thank you!

Margi Dalgleish Roth
Oregon, United States

Appreciation for Digital Communication
Fylvia Fowler Kline laments the destruction of books in “As Crowd Watches, Thoughts Burn,” on page 5 of the August 2007 Adventist World. As a high school library media teacher, I too would be very disappointed to see the destruction of useful reading material.

I do question, however, the conclusion of the article implying that digital creativity is worthless and that “modern technology is leading to a gradual decline of our potential as God’s creation.” Everyone born before 1985 is basically a digital “immigrant.” We grew up in the world of paper. Technology is changing and the younger generation, the digital “natives,” are using the new technologies in extremely creative ways. Not all Web-surfing is aimless and the digital natives do not consider text-messaging to be impersonal. If Google is used correctly and thoughtfully, enormous information is available to the reader. Is a sermon less truthful if it comes to the listener on an iPod? We need to appreciate and use all of the various avenues of communication favored by members of all generations.

Robert E. DuBose, Jr.
California, United States

Mind-set Over Matter!
In the interview “Women and Ministry” (Adventist World, April 2007, p. 8), our world church president, Jan Paulsen, reconfirmed the church’s position on women as ordained ministers that “this is not the way we can go now.” What did Paulsen mean by this? Does it mean that women could be ordained pastors, but not now? If this is what he meant, then I would like to ask: When? Would it be acceptable in the future but not now? Are we waiting for a “mind-set to change” as mentioned earlier in the interview? A mind-set caused by whom or what? The world? Is this what our church is all about?

Ryno Shawe
Gauteng, South Africa

The Silent Threat
I am writing in regard to the Devotional article by Limoni Manu entitled “The Silent Threat” (May 2007). Manu humbles me with the dangerous currents lurking in our paths as Christians of today.

Manu says there are currents to watch. The one striking me most is the current of familiarity—just like deep sea divers become so familiar with big bodies of water that they underestimate the treacherous traits and dangers, we Christians become so familiar with the truth of salvation that we lose the sense of its quality and importance. Thus, instead of growing into spiritual maturity we remain spiritual infants, satisfied with our elementary understanding (the milk) of God’s Word. “But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil” (Heb. 5:14, NRSV).

So fellow conquerors, let’s go for solid food. Or is it milk until…?

David Kumo
Via e-mail

Man of Vision
We appreciate the work brother Harald Pfeiffer did in Sierra Leone in helping to build the hospital. I read about this in the article “Man of Vision,” by Pietro E. Copiz, in the August 2006 Adventist World magazine. May God bless Pfeiffer and continue upholding him. Our world needs to have such people so that we can change it into a better place to live.

Central Adventist Youth Group
Mbale, Uganda

Sharing Adventist World
I’m a pastor’s daughter in Zambia and each month when we receive copies of the Adventist World magazine we take them to the hospitals and other organizations. I thought you would like to know that God is working through the magazine to touch these people. This is good.

Personally, my life has never been the same ever since I started distributing these magazines. I feel as though God is blessing me more and more with each copy I give out and I hope to spread His Word more and more.

Thank you for the good work and may God bless you.

Kai Nachilima
Zambia

Letters Policy: Please send your letters to the editor to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Letters must be clearly written and to the point, 250-word maximum. Be sure to include the name of the article, the date of publication, and page number with your letter. Also include your name, the town/city, state, and country from which you are writing. Letters will be edited for space and clarity. Not all letters submitted will be published.

The Return Visit
I have always enjoyed reading our Adventist World magazine since its first arrival in our church, and I’m always excited for the coming issues. I am writing in response to Carina Goncalves article “The Return Visit” (June 2007). Being assigned mostly in the field I always encounter poor homeless people and beggars asking for a penny or food. And I share the same reaction as Goncalves in her first encounter with a beggar in her story. Most of, if not all, the time I ignore them and turn my back away from them as if I did not notice them, thinking they are being trafficked or are members of an organized network of a begging syndicate. Normally the question that lingers in my mind is: “Do they really deserve to receive something from me?”

As I finished reading her article, I’ve gotten a new understanding of how to treat these individuals. Our thinking in regard to them must not be limited only by what they are going to do with what we give, but by how they will be blessed if we give. God knows smokers will still smoke, drunkards will still drink, and sinners will still sin, yet He still blesses their lives unsparingly, knowing they may only waste them. He even knows that only a handful will accept His Son, yet He gave Him anyway. We don’t deserve salvation and eternal life, yet God gave it to us abundantly.

We received special favor from God that we don’t deserve, but the poor and the needy deserve simple things that we can give. However, not all people begging are beggars and not all people asking something from us are poor. “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10). On the contrary, beggars may come to us once in a while—should we miss sharing? Some even say that the way we’re treating those unfortunate and needy ones is the practical measure of true Christianity. When we give, it’s not only the recipient that is blessed. We are also blessed with a special joy that comes to us when we give unconditionally.

The point is that love is still the basis of all our thoughts and actions!

Hero of Faith
Living in a time when the world makes heroes of actors, athletes, and other so-called celebrities of every sort, it was so refreshing to read an article about a real hero—the hero of faith, Pastor Masaichi Imamura (“Hero of Faith,” July 2007, pp. 16-19).

However, as a history teacher I’m a stickler for detail, and I think the history in the article was a bit skewed. It reads: “It was in the midst of World War II, and Japan had been attacked by the Allied Forces, mainly the United States.” The last I knew, Japan attacked the United States on December 7, 1941. I realize the article is looking through Japanese eyes, but that doesn’t change the facts.

Again, it was a great article dealing with a true hero.

It is much like the difference between God’s wisdom (real wisdom) and human wisdom (foolishness). I agree with Rodríguez’s assessment that God handed the people over to their own ways.

When Israel asked for a king, God basically said, “They are really rejecting me.” I would add that they were also rejecting God’s Law. Much of the church has done the same. Even though they call themselves Christians, they are really in rebellion (see Matt. 5:17-19).

I am also impressed with the church’s keen ear listening to the youth who are so prone to sway with the erring world. Adventist World magazine is such a beautiful letter to the ugly world. Congratulations.

Everything you send out does not return void. Each is being used in its own special way. Rise up every morning knowing you have a special mission you’ve been blessed with in fulfilling God’s plan for salvation.

On campus there is a fellowship of Adventist students with a membership of more than 500. We have been studying the great prophecies of Daniel and Revelation along with Ellen G. White’s The Great Controversy.

A friend of mine, Helen Asamoah-Boadi, gave me an Adventist World magazine with the cover story entitled “Reaching the Secular Mind” (January 2007). Since my encounter with the magazine, in addition to the prophetic books, I have developed an unflinching passion for Master Jesus and have decided to follow Him until the end of this temporary life.

I will be returning home next year (2008) upon graduation. It is my fervent prayer that the Lord use me as a “tool” in His vineyard to help reform the church in central Liberia. The church is going through a period of reform after a long, bitter country war annihilated the moral fabrics of the church. Members lost their families, friends, and properties. The church also lost property. This left many of our youth traumatized as some were living on their own, or becoming breadwinners for their families. Whenever I recount these dreadful years, my eyes become drenched with tears.

Please remember the church in Liberia in your prayers.

I was spiritually touched after reading the Adventist World magazine. I borrowed a copy of it from one of my friends who is an Adventist. The scriptures used in it are wonderful! I hope I can get other copies so that I can read them and even share them with other people who are also interested. Thank you and God bless you.

I salute you all in the name of the Lord. It’s my hope that the good Lord is blessing and protecting you in all fields. I am very much delighted to come across your monthly magazine, which has enabled me to grow spiritually. How do I receive future editions of the magazine?

Our advice to this reader and others with similar concerns is to contact the Seventh-day Adventist Church union or division office in your region of the world. We are gratified that the magazine is filling this important need.—Editors.

Absolutely Thrilled
I was absolutely thrilled to read the article about the celebration of the three-millionth member in the Inter-American Division! In 1978 we had 3 million members worldwide and 29 years later, one division has 3 million. This makes me very happy, for IAD was the very first division I visited during my ministry at the GC! The joy and happiness expressed in the face of the young lady baptized by Elder Israel Leito, division president, translates the way we all feel!

Paulsen stated this as part of his response: “I know the fullest kind of recognition to pastoral ministry—ordination—is a direction the church has said, on at least two different occasions we have met together as a world body, ‘This is not the way to go now,’ but I would still encourage women to train for the ministry.”

“This is not the way to go now.” Why not, what’s the problem? I’ve been a Seventh-day Adventist for 30 years, and I’ve heard nothing but excuses for not ordaining women in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. As far as I’m concerned, this is just another excuse.

The interaction of the GC president with women has motivated some of our AWM leaders to mount the pulpit and preach the love of Jesus.

In this part of the world, some people believed that women had no business on the altar during divine service. Now the attitude is gradually changing. Thank you for printing the interview with Paulsen, which further supports women being involved in ministry.

I have been happily married for 17 years, and blessed with four children. It is not easy to be a mother and a career woman. The economic situation in our country requires double income families. Fortunately for me, I was able to finish college through the sacrifices of my loving parents.

I work not only because I want to help my husband, but, honestly, I hate being at home and doing the chores. My career is my temptation. I could work for 20 hours a day without being exhausted. I have been working away from home six days a week, leaving my children behind, cared for by my parents and my husband. I have been exchanging my most precious time that is supposed to be for my growing children with my career—until I found myself sitting in the guidance room of my son’s school. He is not doing well and has almost become a liability to society. I blame myself because I never give them quality time.

When I happened to read the article “Lord, Remember Our Children” (May 2006) in your magazine, I was struck by the message: “the most precious gift we can give to our children is our time.”

Thanks be to God for using your magazine as an instrument to open my heart and make me realize my mistakes. My family is my source of inspiration—it is God’s manifestations of His great love and mercy. I may have lost a career, but I am holding the world’s greatest jewel—my family. I believe there is never a wrong time to do the right thing. I am a part of my family’s life again.

Letters Policy: Please send your letters to the editor to:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Letters must be clearly written and to the point, 250-word maximum. Be sure to include the name of the article, the date of publication, and page number with your letter. Also include your name, the town/city, state, and country from which you are writing. Letters will be edited for space and clarity. Not all letters submitted will be published.

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Along the Journey

Grateful Reader

Blessing From Haiti

Words of Comfort
I was so much delighted to receive this most splendid magazine, Adventist World. Thanks for the articles that give me comfort, especially “Lord, Remember Our Children” in the May 2006 issue.

The sweetest texts and articles draw my thoughts to our loving, passionate Savior. I admire the simplicity, but striking assurance in Isaiah 50:2, which says, “Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you?” (NIV). His indivisible love and care cannot be compared. His interminable sympathy is an inspiration to love Him more and to follow His beautiful design. I like this touching message of Sister Ellen White from Mind, Character, and Personality, which says: “Your child is not your own; you cannot do with her as you like, for she is the property of the Lord” (vol. 1, p. 169). “At all times the mother should endeavor to be quiet, calm, and self-possessed…. That which may be small to the mother is large to them. And a word of direction or caution at the right time will often prove of great value” (ibid., p. 168).

God will be pleased to look down upon the efforts of parents with their abiding closeness of prayer in all walks of toughness.

Starlette A. Jordan
Prilly, Switzerland

Women and Witness
Many thanks for the article “Women and Witness” in the April 2006 Adventist World. I am happy that Brian Strayer highlighted the contributions made by Roxie Rice, Mary Priest, and Mary Haskell in forming and shaping the vision of our church’s most successful evangelistic ministries. How I wish the world leadership would more actively encourage those at the division, union, conference, and local church levels to include more women in our outreach work. The significant membership of the female gender within our world church membership is sadly underrepresented. Ella Smith Simmons made a commendable movement in the right direction.

Dennis E.N. Wilson-Cole
London, England

Would Love to Receive Adventist World!
I was glad to receive my first issue of Adventist World, and wanted to know how I could continue to get it.

Boas Donza
Via e-mail

There are currently two divisions that do not yet receive Adventist World—the Euro-Africa and South American divisions. If you are from a division other than these two, please contact your division office to receive it.
—Editors

I read with much awe and interest the October 2005 Adventist World. The many methods used in praying really caught my attention and puzzled me. I had not yet grasped that praying can be so enjoyable using many different ways. 
I really enjoyed Adventist World and was wondering how I could receive monthly copies? I tried in vain to get hold of the November and December 2005 issues as our local conference did not receive them either. Many Adventists around here are asking for it, and as a youth director I decided to write directly to you.

May God richly bless you.
Khumbulani Douglas DubeMidlands, Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe falls under Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division territory, and therefore should be receiving Adventist World. Please contact their offices to secure your free subscription.
—Editors

Bolstering Our Faith
We praise the Lord for publishing a great conveyor of our worldwide work. The cover stories have fascinated us so much and helped us to know more about the progress of Adventism in the world. Articles on our fundamental beliefs and the Spirit of Prophecy also served as great pointers in widening our scriptural knowledge, and helped to sharpen our faith and instill a deeply rooted knowledge of Adventism. The Bible study by Mark Finley was also a good review piece for new and old Adventist members.

Members of the Hanging Bridge Seventh-day Adventist Church 
Bulacan, Philippines

Connecting With Other Believers
I am a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, and I greet you all in the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord. I am an old man of 75 years. On reading the January 2006 Adventist World, I came across a small article [on the Muscat church in Oman] with a picture of East Indians dressed just like us (with saris and long hair) in South Africa. It made my heart so happy.

Sam Moodley
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Blessed With His Best
The “Hope for Humanity” piece in Adventist World (NAD edition, May 2006) was very informative and interesting. I have memories of Harvest Ingathering from way back in the late 1930s and 1940s going up and down the streets with a singing band. The Lord did bless us as the years passed by.

During the past few years my husband and I have had a burden for our own Native Americans. So we have helped them and have wondered what our church was doing, especially for the poorest of these groups in the Southwest—the Navajo, Apache, and Hopi.

I appreciate your writings on the issues of the church. It is like you challenge and then affirm. God bless your work with His best—He always does.

Jeanne Hardaker 
Bridgewater, New Jersey

A Thorough Examination
I find this article more than a little irritating. Is this an Adventist magazine? Is Brother Rodríguez familiar with The Desire of Ages? Certainly his exegesis is a thorough study of the Bible, and in addition he seems to be very thorough in examining all possibilities. However, he particularly avoids the obvious, as if he assumes only the Bible is authoritative for Adventists. The article completely ignores these clear statements: “His brothers, as the sons of Joseph were called, sided with the rabbis” (The Desire of Ages, p. 86). “All this displeased his brothers. Being older than Jesus, they felt that He should be under their dictation” (ibid., p. 87). “Here were His mother, His brothers and sisters, and all eyes were turned upon Him as He entered the synagogue upon the Sabbath day, and took His place among the worshippers” (ibid., p. 236).

James Burry
New Dimension, China

Response:
Dear Brother James:
I apologize for causing you some discomfort. I am sorry that for some reason you missed my final conclusion in the last paragraph: The brothers of Jesus were the sons of Joseph and not of Mary. I did not use Ellen G. White because I am expected to provide a biblical answer. It is obvious that the answer she provides in her writings is the same found in the Bible. Based on her prophetic role within the church, we should consider what she says on this subject to be extremely valuable extra-canonical information.

Blessings,
Angel Manuel Rodríguez

Such Good Things
Many years ago I observed my father reading what then was called The Review and Herald. And I would ask him, “What do you get out of that?” “Oh,” he said, “there are such good things in here!”

Little did I know that someday I would be baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Today I receive Adventist World. When it arrives, I stop what I am doing and read it from cover to cover.

Oh, how I wish Pop could read it now! It’s much thicker, has stories from all over the world, and has such beautiful, colorful illustrations. I would tell him, “There are such good things in here!”

Lee May
California, United States

God Used a Man