Adventist World - March 2019

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Victory Assured

The Rest of the Story

Pastor Anderson’s Oranges

March 2019 ISSN 255003/09614

Healthy Churches, Healthy Mission

BY BILL KNOTT

“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit” (Matt. 7:17, 18).

T china

About the Cover Ma Huan, pictured on her wedding day, is wearing a traditional Chinese wedding dress. A native of China, she came to the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) to be better skilled to share the love of Jesus as a schoolteacher. At AIIAS she met her husband, Lin Huiguang, who was studying to be a pastor. They have since returned to serve in China.

Cover Photo: Eike Mueller

Focus 10 Victory Assured The Word 14 The Rest of the Story 27 Bible Questions Answered My Church 16 Global View 18 The Troublemakers 19 Millennial Voices 22 Discovering the Spirit of Prophecy Living Faith 20 Mission 24 Faith in Action 28 May I Tell You a Story?

he inspired wisdom of Jesus’ famous proverb is clear to those who know anything about fruit trees—or people.

Some years ago our family lived for several years in a home graced by a small orchard on the back portion of the property. When we moved there in late September, a bounty of pears, apples, and plums awaited us, even though the orchard had been almost completely untended for that growing season. Because a wiser and more experienced orchardist than I had planted well, watered well, and pruned well, the orchard produced an abundance of fruit we gave to friends, made into jams and jellies, and enjoyed at many meals. The good trees had produced good fruit.

It should likewise come as no surprise to us that Jesus wasn’t merely sharing agricultural wisdom. He was describing the essential connection that exists between healthy sources and healthy outcomes, between consecrated people and godly behaviors. We can’t expect healthy fruit from an unhealthy root.

Here we learn the underlying requirement for wise and nurturing congregations as the source and sustainer of the church’s essential mission to the world. Just as it is foolish to expect beautiful, unblemished pears from a shriveled, diseased wisp planted in parched soil, so it is unreasonable to expect robust and renewing witness from people who have never tasted the goodness of church fellowship as Jesus and the New Testament describe it. The Gospel Commission—”Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matt.

28:19)—is fulfillable only in the setting of the church created by the gospel—a place where forgiveness, healing, restoration, and transformation are always taking place.

Jesus doesn’t present us with a frustrating “either/ or” conundrum: either have healthy congregations or have powerful, world-circling mission. But He does make clear that there is a direct relationship between both needful things. He sent out disciples from Himself, even as He called them to return to Him with stories of God’s power and miracles (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20). Paul’s missionary journeys were both from a sending, empowering congregation that loved him and prayed from him, and back to the welcoming congregation whose support was vital to his success. Health begets health: praying, supporting, and reconciling congregations produce missionaries who have a personal testimony of healing and restoration to share with the world.

The fruit of Adventist mission is made possible by the vibrant Adventist communities of faith that are the root of mission. Wherever you are placed by God—building up your local church, or reaching out to win more hearts for Jesus—the joys of mission are rightly yours.

We believe in the power of prayer, and we welcome prayer requests that can be shared at our weekly staff worship every Wednesday morning. Send your requests to prayer@adventistworld.org, and pray for us as we work together to advance God’s kingdom.

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News Moment

Workers are plastering a wall in the new cafeteria complex at Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) in Kigali, Rwanda. Together with a new large medical science building, construction is scheduled to be ďŹ nished prior to the ofďŹ cial inauguration of this new Seventh-day Adventist medical school in September of 2019.

Photo: Gerald A. Klingbeil

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News in Brief

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100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10

“I have been reminded how important justice is to us as Christians, as an aspect of our faith that we have sometimes forgotten. It is empowering to speak up on behalf of those whose voices are not heard in these places.”

—John Smilek, a volunteer regional coordinator for ADRA in Victoria, Australia. Smilek made his comments after participating for the first with a team of ADRA representatives who, together with representatives of other aid agencies, spent two days discussing humanitarian aid issues with 90 of Australia’s elected leaders.

24/7

3%—Never

—Ivon Antônio de Souza, an electrical engineer, who was hired by the South American Division (SAD) to construct a new auditorium at the division’s headquarters.

Souza had felt puzzled about the Bible and wanted to know more.

As he kept working on Adventist Church projects, he found several opportunities to learn more about the Bible, including an SAD organized meeting, “More Than a Business,” for contractors. Souza left his note after that meeting and was recently baptized by SAD president Erton Köehler in the very auditorium Souza helped build.

Adventist Members and Bible Reading Practices

8%—Less Than Once a Month

“After the program, I left a note saying that I wished to learn more about the Bible.”

—Luis Biazotto, Adventist Community Services director for the Greater New York Conference in the United States. The Greater New York Conference recently dedicated an outreach ministry van called “Showers of Blessing,” which will serve New York’s homeless population with mobile showers, providing clean towels, washcloths, and new undergarments.

41%—Once & More Than Once a Week

The number of students enrolled at Sonoma Adventist College in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The college, which was established in 1968 with 21 students in two courses and no electrical service, recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. College administrators report that the original 1968 graduating class has so far contributed more than 350 combined years of service to the Adventist Church.

48%—Daily or More Often

661

“You see the results after just 10 minutes. When they leave, most of them say ‘You changed my life.’

They’re reminded to have hope.”

0 Source: Adventist Global Church Member Survey, 2017

After nearly two years of making connections with the cable television industry in Haiti, the Adventist Church recently launched Hope Channel Inter-America in Haiti. Hope Channel Inter-America’s Espérance TV channel, based in Martinique, runs programming in French by the Seventh-day Adventist Church 24 hours a day, seven days a week, now available in Haiti.

News in Brief

“Seventy years ago Japanese soldiers came to this village and took away all the men. Seventy years later Japanese youth came to help further the gospel work in this same village.”

—The oldest Adventist member in the Menangkin village in Malaysia commenting on the recent mission trip that brought 13 Japanese youth to the Malasian village to build a church. Two months before the church-planting project the mountain village received electrical service.

Fifty The number of members at the Memorial Seventhday Adventist Church in Mansfield, Louisiana, United States who are active in a prison ministry created to reduce prison recidivism by reconciling inmates with their families. The ministry, called “A Day With Dad,” facilitates fun-filled meetings between children and incarcerated fathers. The hope is that reunions might facilitate healing for their emotional wounds and give birth to a renewed desire in the inmates to one day be reintegrated into their homes and communities as productive members of society.

Founders of Loma Linda’s Overseas Heart Surgery Team Die Within Two Weeks of Each Other Joan Coggin and Ellsworth E. Wareham, founders of the Loma Linda University Overseas Heart Surgery Team, recently died in short succession. Coggin passed away at 90 on November 29, 2018, and Wareham died at the age of 104 on December 15. Founded in 1963, the Overseas Heart Surgery Team would go on to perform more open-heart surgeries than any similar organization. Pictured are Coggin and Wareham and the Overseas Heart Surgery Team with former United States president Richard Nixon.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/BTIDevelopment AdventistWorld.org March 2019

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News in Depth

Brazilian Students Granted Right to Skip Sabbath Exams, Classes

Bill signed into law by new president

By Felipe Lemos, South American Division News, and Adventist World

Brazil’s religious liberty advocates believe that a bill recently passed by a committee in the Chamber of Deputies—Brazil’s lower legislative house—is a milestone for students who observe the biblical seventh-day Sabbath in that South American nation. Members of the Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship Committee (CCJ) passed Senate Substitute Bill 130 of House Bill from 2009 on November 27, 2018. The bill deals with the administration of exams and class attendance of students who are unable to attend on religious and freedom-of-conscience grounds.

The legislation, drafted by the senate, received “conclusive approval,” which means it did not go to a plenary session of the chamber but directly to the president for his signature. Brazil’s new president, Jair Bolsonaro, signed the bill on January 3, 2019, two days after his inauguration.

WHAT IT ENTAILS

Adventist leaders said that in practice Sabbathkeeping students attending public or private schools now have a legal instrument that guarantees their freedom of conscience and religious beliefs are taken into account. “The text provides for the right of students at any level—except in military education—to skip exams or classes on their day of worship when their faith objects to such activities,” they explained.

The CCJ, which discussed the bill, included alternatives that schools granting exceptions may resort to. Among the alternatives they mentioned are replacement exams or classes and the offer of alternate dates to fulfill class requirements.

They also listed replacement research projects, with topics, objectives, and deadlines defined by each educational institution.

Official records show that representative Marcos Vinícius de Campos proposed a similar bill in 1997. According to federal chamber records, however, that bill was tabled and finally filed in February 1999.

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM GUARANTEED

The bill’s sponsor in the CCJ, federal deputy Maria do Rosário, reviewed the nature of respect for freedom of religious expression. She emphasized that article 5 in Brazil’s constitution guarantees that religious freedom is inviolable and must be safeguarded. She added, “No one will be deprived of his or her rights because of religious belief or philosophical or political conviction.”

South American Division Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) director Helio Carnassale said the approval was a major victory for religious freedom, especially for the thousands of students who observe religious days. He also paid tribute to those who helped to reach this outcome. “Many have contributed through the years, including representatives and church leaders,” he said as he mentioned some of them by name.

Church leaders explained that it is difficult to determine how many students will benefit from this piece of legislation. There is, however, a revealing figure associated with the bill. “The last survey by the Ministry of Education found out that approximately 100,000 Sabbathkeeping students took the National High School Examination in Brazil,” they said.

Religious liberty advocates and members of the Constitution, Justice, and Citizenship (CCJ) Committee of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies celebrate the congressional passing of the religious freedom bill on November 27, 2018. The bill was signed into law by Brazil’s new president on January 3, 2019.

Photo: South American Division News 6

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News in Depth

12,000 Youngsters Reported Baptized in Inter-America

Program celebrates success of the territory-wide Year of the Child and Adolescent.

By Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Dinorah Rivera (second from right), IAD children and adolescent ministries director, speaks about the hard work of children across the territory who witnessed to others with “The Talking Backpack” initiative during the Year of the Child and Adolescent. Rivera spoke during a celebration program broadcast online on December 8, 2018.

Photo: Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America recently celebrated the culmination of its Year of the Child and Adolescent initiatives and activities. The initiative reinforced Christian values and encouraged youngsters to study, live, and share the message of the gospel with their friends and neighbors.

The 12-month-long initiative took children and adolescents through a journey into the 66 books of the Bible. It also featured “The Talking Backpack,” a program that allowed children and adolescents to earn patches and pins as they studied and learned such character-building traits as truthfulness, courtesy, respect, gratefulness, forgiveness, punctuality, service, responsibility, obedience, integrity, optimism, and kindness through various activities at local churches, as well as in Adventist schools throughout the territory.

The patches and pins were displayed on special backpacks worn by many youngsters, giving an opportunity for friendship and witnessing wherever the children

went, explained Dinorah Rivera, children and adolescent ministries director for the church in Inter-America.

This initiative was intended to create more awareness of the importance of involving children in all facets of the church for mission, according to Rivera. “It’s about preparing children to uphold values and principles that a Christian should have, helping them strive to possess a character like Jesus, and teaching them to have a spirit of service and mission as well as become part of the church’s commission to reach others for the kingdom of God,” she said.

IAD president Elie Henry congratulated regional directors, teachers, and all who served in making the initiative a success in Inter-America. “What a wonderful way to preach Christ by sharing what children have learned in schools, churches, and at home throughout this year to lead a Christian life,” Henry said. “God needs to be important in our lives, and He seeks faithful witnesses in

adults and children as well.”

Initiative leaders followed a manual and used a box of values, patches, pins, backpacks, and a mobile application called VE.app, which provided activities, verses, messages, and games that reinforced the monthly character trait emphasized every week and month of the year.

According to Rivera, more than 12,000 children and adolescents accepted Christ as their personal Savior through the efforts of this initiative. “We have been blessed beyond measure with this initiative, and we give God the glory,” she said.

Rivera explained that the initiative falls under the IAD’s “Lord Transform Me” initiative, which includes connecting and sharing the hope of salvation across communities, as well as helping to get every member involved in the mission of the church.

Children and adolescents from each union conference territory who gave outstanding service in completing the initiative were honored with a certificate, a trophy, and a new backpack.

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News Focus Euro-Asia Division (ESD)

109,023 ESD membership as of September 30, 2018

“We will be more successful in our mission, and our relationship will be much deeper, because here we learned to understand each other in spite of differences of opinion.”

—Mikhail Kaminskiy, ESD president, in comments made at the 2018 Annual Council session in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States

100

The approximate number of lay members and church leaders who met for the fifth Congress of the Association of Adventist Businessmen of Ukraine in the city of Lviv. Among the projects showcased at the congress was the mission website of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Ukraine, and an online education system that includes courses for young people written in “easy-torelate, lively language,” on various spiritual and social topics.

“We dream of a similar social ministry in every city.”

Leaders of the Good Hands charity program, implemented three years ago by a local church in the Russian city of Yoshkar-Ola. During a recent event, guests learned the latest scientific data on the positive effects of exercise on reducing the likelihood of suffering serious health conditions. Community visitors were then offered free a selection of healthful food, secondhand clothes, and were invited to additional meetings dealing with spiritual topics.

Adventist University in Russia Turns 30 Zaoksky Adventist University (ZAU) recently celebrated three decades of prompting students to “learn, serve, and inspire,” as the school motto says. For 30 years the school, located in Zaoksky, Tula Oblast, has been a symbol of Adventist education in post-Soviet Russia. Many church workers now serving in Russia and in other former Soviet nations can trace their educational roots to that institution. ZAU anniversary celebrations included guests from the Adventist Church headquarters and the Russian Federation government. R

“This is convincing evidence that among Minsk residents there are a great many kind and sympathetic people who are not indifferent to the needs of people living with disabilities.”

—A project organizer in Belarus who coordinated the collection of food packages for people with disabilities. Approximately 2,500 kilograms (5,500 pounds) of food were donated. Adventist members and leaders across the Euro-Asia Division region have been increasingly directing the public’s attention to the plight of people living with disabilities.

Zaoksky Adventist University

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/BTIDevelopment 8

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Perspective

By Nelu Burcea, associate director, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department

Photo: Vladislav Klapin

Seventy-year-old Human Rights Document Holds Special Meaning How human rights reflect heavenly values Seventy years ago the international community entered into a groundbreaking agreement to uphold a set of shared principles and values that would guide humanity as it moved into the future. Seven decades later that agreement—the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—has become an integral part of the international landscape. It has become an overarching expression of the various rights that nations must guard for their citizens to live full and dignified lives. Today the Universal Declaration can be read in an ever-growing number of languages and dialects—514 at last count—making it, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world’s most translated document.

The Universal Declaration has been called idealistic, and it certainly does take a comprehensive, wholistic view of human rights, encompassing a vast range of social, political, and economic values.

Among its 30 articles is the right to equality before the law; the right to freedom from discrimination; the

right to freedom of assembly; the right to work and education; and the right to freedom from arbitrary detention. It even includes the right to leisure and rest, and the right to take part in the cultural, artistic, and scientific life of one’s community.

In 2017, in an effort to emphasize the importance of the Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations launched a yearlong public awareness campaign that culminated on December 10, 2018. Its goal was simple: to reacquaint the world with these foundational human rights. It has been an attempt, in an era when violence and repression still dominate the headlines, to underscore the urgent need for an agreed set of basic human rights norms.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

As a person of faith, article 18 of the Universal Declaration holds special significance for me. It reads: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.”

Although article 18 deals specifically with religious freedom, it is not an isolated, stand-alone human right. It is inextricably bound up with many other fundamental

freedoms, such as the freedom of assembly, freedom of thought, freedom of speech, and so on.

As a Seventh-day Adventist I suggest that there is an earlier, even more fundamental expression of article 18. As I read the Bible I learn that we are all born free and equal; that all human beings are endowed with the spark of the divine by their Creator; that every man, woman, and child stands equal before God in value and dignity.

Even more, Scripture teaches us that every person has the personal right—indeed, the obligation—to choose freely whether or not to worship God and follow His will.

WHAT IT MEANS

What does this mean for Adventists? What does it mean for me as I represent our church at the United Nations?

It means that we have a continuing responsibility to advocate for freedom of religion or belief for every person, regardless of nationality, background, or religious tradition, irrespective of whether we agree with their beliefs or not.

Most important, it means that we should defend this freedom, not just because it is a fundamental human right ratified by the international community. We must continue to promote freedom of religion or belief, first and foremost, because it reflects the loving character of our heavenly Father.

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Focus

Victory Assured

Christ makes us all conquerors.

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BY LESLIE N. POLLARD

ur home in Alabama sits near a nature reserve. Because of some endangered animal or plant species, the United States government believes that preserving the habitat will assist the ecosystem of the area.

I decided one Sunday morning to plant a watermelon and cantaloupe garden, two summer fruits. That way my then 2-yearold granddaughter, Genesis, could pick fruit with Granddad and have lasting memories.

Because I was catching a plane that afternoon for Annual Council at the General Conference, my wife suggested: “Take some garment boxes and put them on top of the weeds. Then when you come back, the weeds will have died, and they will be easier to remove.” So I grabbed four large wardrobe boxes, flattened them, and laid them over the grass.

A week later I thought, Let’s see how the weeds did without sun, rain, or breeze. Lifting the first box, I saw a snake, about two and a half feet long. I thought, It’s a king snake, a nonvenomous member of the local rodent patrol.

Then my instincts told me, “Better check.” So I picked up a board about four inches wide, a half-inch thick, and four feet long. I positioned myself a safe distance from the snake and reached out with the board, and the snake coiled into a striking position and struck the board. I did it again, and it struck again. As it struck the third time I noticed its snow-white mouth. I recognized it as a cottonmouth from the preserve.

I wanted to run away, but I couldn’t leave the snake there. I imagined my granddaughter, Genesis, playing barefoot in the backyard. I thought of this poisonous animal striking my innocent granddaughter.

I took one of those four-foot-long boards in my hand, measured it over the serpent’s head, lifted it as if it were a sledgehammer, and with one swing struck the snake on its head.

THE ORIGINAL INTRUDER

In a garden called Eden a serpent took up residence. He did not come as a threat, but presented himself as a friend. But he struck nonetheless. The strike of the old serpent, called the devil and Satan (Rev. 12:7), landed in the hearts and minds of our first parents, infecting the universe with the venom of sin.

Sin kills. It kills families. It kills marriages. It kills relationships.

It kills peace.

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But we, the human family, did not believe that sin kills. For 4,000 years we tried to save ourselves from the power of sin. We offered human sacrifices. We prayed, shed tears, built monuments, erected altars. We gave 4,000 years of our best effort—all to no avail.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son” to redeem us (Gal. 4:4). In His blood is the antivenom, released on a cross. He carried a cross—His cross and ours—and sacrificed His blood. At the cross our victorious Christ smashed the head of the serpent.

The devil is defeated; the power of evil has been broken; the title deed to Planet Earth is reclaimed. If our Adventist eschatology fails to announce this victory, it fails the test of Scripture. For eschatology is not so much about matching daily headlines with Bible texts or placing current events alongside the slide rule of history, though each of these certainly has its appropriate place.

Eschatology, the study of last-day events, is not about frightening audiences with the roars of apocalyptic creatures, or birthing wild speculation about papal conspiracies, or attacking other denominations. Adventist eschatology spells victory—His victory, not ours! Jesus and His victory stand at the center of our eschatological message. “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren . . . has been cast down” (Rev. 12:10). We announce the victory of Christ and the defeat of our enemy.

Wherever Satan appears in the Apocalypse, he appears as a loser. In Revelation 12:7, 8 he launches war in heaven, but he loses.

In Revelation 12:14 he persecutes the woman clothed with the sun. “But the earth helped the woman” (verse 16). Satan loses.

In Revelation 12:13 he attacks the male child of the woman, who is caught up to heaven. Satan loses.

In Revelation 12:17 he launches a three-pronged war on the remnant with two allies—the beast and the false prophet (Rev. 13). Against so mighty a triumvirate the saints face an overwhelming force. But the next time we see the remnant in Revelation 14:1-3 they stand in victory on Mount Zion. Satan loses.

Do the saints stand because they are perfect? No, they stand as victorious beneficiaries of the Lamb’s victory!

“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11). The Lamb wins and the adversary loses. Where Satan appears to triumph (Rev. 11:7 and 13:7), it is a temporary setback for the two witnesses and the saints; just as Satan’s apparent win at the cross collapsed beneath the power of the crucified Lamb’s resurrection.

Adventist eschatology spells victory!

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GOD IS IN CHARGE

Adventist eschatology must declare in the words of the famous hymn: “This is my Father’s world, O let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.”1 See the snapshots of victory in the Lamb, standing as though it had been slain (Rev. 5). After the horrific events of Calvary, after the despair of the exiled prophet who collapsed into a fountain of tears under the booming interrogation “Who is worthy?” no one was found worthy! Crushing despair fell upon John, because if no one is worthy our salvation is a lost cause.

Then comes one of the elders: “Stop weeping, John.

Someone is worthy.”

Jesus is worthy because He stood where Adam stumbled. He is worthy because He flew from where Adam fell. He is worthy because He marched through Adam’s missteps. Let the Advent message proclaim: “Christ is worthy.”

Take a look at another vision of victory in Revelation 19. “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. . . . He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed him on white horses. . . . He treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he has on his robe and on his thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev. 19:11-16).

Christ gallops out of heaven riding a white horse, wearing a garment dipped in blood. But this victory image is made more powerful by recognizing that it is related to this prophecy: “Who is this who comes from Edom, with dyed garments . . . ?” asks the prophet Isaiah (Isa. 63:1). And: “Why is your apparel red . . . ?” (verse 2).

The answer comes: “I have trodden the winepress alone” (verse 3). Gethsemane and Calvary represent the bloodletting required to purchase a fallen world.

In Revelation 19 Jesus is no longer the bruised and bloodied Lamb of Calvary. He comes as the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

The picture of Isaiah’s crimson soldier is saved for Revelation 19:11: Our story is not only a story of blood, but the promise of victory. “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse”—a symbol of victory.

The equestrian imagery of Revelation is quite compelling. The first horse of Revelation is a white horse galloping with the gospel (Rev. 6:2). The last horse (Rev. 19) is also white. The gospel that began in victory will

end in victory. It began in glory and it will end in glory.

The theme of Revelation is victory, His victory, over all the forces arrayed to defeat Him. I like this part: “He who sat on him was called Faithful” (Rev. 19:11). On our best days we falter. But He is faithful by name and character. We are faithful on occasion. But the good news of the gospel is that Christ’s faithfulness is our ticket to glory.

Satan accuses: “They are not worthy.”

God says, “Charge it to My Son’s account.”

A GARMENT DIPPED IN BLOOD

John continues by picking up Isaiah’s vision of a crimson soldier. John sees the crimson-red garments of the one who comes from Edom, but this time the bloody smatterings of victory are all over him: “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood” (verse 13). He’s not the victim; He’s victorious.

We spend much time preaching about Christ’s white robe of righteousness, but I rejoice over the significance of His red robe of victory. He comes in this final vision to establish justice. The world is unjust; it slays those who are innocent. It profiles the “other.” It excludes those who are worthy and elects those who are debased. Economic exploitation, sexual trafficking, gender oppression, religious persecution, class exclusion; world systems are unjust.

The Rider on the white horse reminds us that every corrupt enemy power will be destroyed. But a remnant will be saved and justice will be established forever.

I conclude with the following observation about the red robe of victory.

1. In Revelation 19 intertextuality and allusion comes into play. The only other garment in Scripture dipped in blood was Joseph’s coat in Genesis 37, which was dipped in blood to perpetrate a deception on an old father. By contrast, Jesus’ robe dipped in blood points to the transparency of His victory. Jesus fought in total transparency.

No guile was found in Him, His victory has integrity, He is faithful and true. That blood-red robe says, “Trust Me.” 2. That blood-red robe points to the singularity of His victory. We see a ruby-red warrior atop a snow-white steed escorted by an army of glistening glory clad in “linen, clean and white.” A billowing wave of white glory led by heaven’s Crimson Commander draped in a blood-red robe, but his army is dressed in linen clean and white (verse 14), not a drop of battle blood on them.

Why is the heavenly cavalry dressed in “linen, clean and white”? Nobody wears white into battle. That’s because it is His victory, nobody else’s. It’s His battle, not ours.

The battle is the Lord’s.

His robe is blood red and their robes are bleached

The first horse of Revelation is a white horse galloping with the gospel (Rev. 6:2).

The last horse (Rev. 19) is also white.

The gospel that began in victory will end in victory.

white for one reason and one reason only: the battle is the Lord’s! God is big enough and strong enough to protect and guide His church.

Stop visiting websites, pointing fingers, and making anonymous accusations as if no one is Adventist enough except you. Is the straight testimony a laundry list of do’s and don’ts? Or is Revelation the straight testimony of the True Witness to “buy from Me gold refined in the fire” (Rev. 3:18)? Rather than point fingers at each other, why not turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face?

3. That robe dipped in blood points to the totality of His victory. His blood-red robe is monogrammed “King of kings, Lord of lords.”

He wears “many crowns,” so that red robe of victory signifies His right to universal rulership. One day “every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Rom. 14:11). That blood-red robe says Praise Him! Let us go into our fields to invite our students, our institutions, our churches, and our communities to praise Him. Because for every Seventh-day Adventist, eschatology spells victory! * Maltbie D. Babcock, “This Is My Father’s World,” The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, no. 92.

Leslie N. Pollard, Ph.D., D.Min, M.B.A., serves as president of Oakwood University. He is a New Testament theologian, specializing in apocalyptic literature.

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What We Believe

The Great Controversy

The Rest of the Story

T

he most widely sold piece of art, literature, entertainment—however you wish to classify it—is the Bible.

People reading this Book soon become “believers” or “followers.” They are also known as Christians and represent the largest single religious group on earth.

But over the course of the past 2,000 years, this group has been anything but homogenous. They worship differently, use different versions of the Book, have varying beliefs and worldviews, yet all still claim to follow the teachings—for the most part—of the Book.

What do we do with such a vast number of conflicting opinions found in this large conglomeration called Christianity? Is religion the answer to the world’s problems or, as some would say, its cause?

If nothing else, it’s good to understand a worldview that nearly one out of every three persons on earth subscribes to, especially considering that nine out of 10 people on earth claim to be “religious” or “spiritual.”

GETTING THE BACK STORY

We owe it to ourselves to understand the story, the framework for why someone believes something. If someone says they are afraid of or hate snakes, is it because they have been attacked by one? Or could it be they were taught to fear snakes by someone else? If someone says they are afraid or suspicious of the Bible or Jesus, is it because they had a personal encounter with either, or were they taught this, or worse, encountered someone 14

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else who told them what it was but they never encountered it for themselves?

We owe it to ourselves to look to the source to see if people are accurately portraying the true story of the Bible, or just bits and pieces of it.

Just like someone retelling a story, or a film, or a book, and leaving out key details, it’s possible that the big story told in the Bible is often told by leaving out key details.

BOOK BEGINNING

So let’s look at the beginning.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).

That is the first sentence of the Bible. Was this the beginning of everything, or just everything on earth? What does this mean for the theory of evolution? Who is God? Why would God create a new planet and fill it with animals,

plants, and humans? The Bible begins here, but it’s not where the story begins. We have to read the whole story to learn why this line is used to start the Book.

As with any riveting story, at times we’re thrown into it midstream and have to figure out what happened before, and what may come after.

So here is a question: Was the creation of the earth and humans a solution with the potential to solve a problem?

STORY BEGINNING

As we begin to uncover parts of the story, we learn key elements that bring everything into its proper place.

The story begins in what we call heaven. I don’t know its exact location. All is at peace. The citizens sing. They eat. They travel. They spend time with each other. They work. They play.

They don’t cry. They don’t die.

They don’t lie.

It’s that last line that is key. We are told that there was a principle or law in this utopia, and when Satan rebelled against the law of God, the thought that there even existed a law came to the angels almost as an awakening to something unthought of.* How was life in the universe before the entrance of sin? No citizen of heaven lived life just for themselves. Serving and loving others came naturally. In fact, no citizen did anything that could be considered selfish. This meant no one stole. No one slept with their neighbors’ spouse. No one got angry. Everybody had one joy in life: loving their neighbors as much as they loved themselves.

This was not a society in which all looked the same and had the same job and lived a boring life.

This society had order, hierarchy; and all were happy with their gifts and position in society.

We learn the rest of the story in Scripture, specifically why the controversy between good and evil began.

Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 tell us more about someone who was the covering cherub in the heavenly throne room, created perfect and beautiful. He was once called Lucifer, “light bearer,” but became Satan the adversary. We learn that he wanted to be like God but broke the law of heaven (Eze. 28:15). Instead of making the earth a happy place, he was accused of stealing joy, killing life, even destroying the cities of the world (cf. John 10:10; Isa. 14:14, 17). We learn from Job 1 that at times he was even given the power to manipulate the weather and cause natural disasters. He hates humanity so much that he stopped at nothing in Eden to deceive Adam and Eve (Gen. 3). Today he stops at nothing to continue to cause disasters everywhere.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?

Understanding this metanarrative of how and why evil began, and how it will end, is the greatest gift the Seventh-day Adventist Church can offer the world. Sabbath takes on new significance as a day to remember not just that we were created, but why we were created in light of this ongoing war. In this paradigm we understand why the teaching of the heavenly sanctuary is so important; why we understand the law as being at the center of the controversy; why Lucifer was jealous of the Son of God; and how rebelling against the law of love led to war in heaven. All these accounts are essential to making sense of the world around us today.

We owe it to ourselves to look to the source to see if people are accurately portraying the true story of the Bible, or just bits and pieces of it.

With this understanding we can more easily explain that there is a war in the galaxy whose end is not only promised but anticipated very soon. God has been gracious to explain current and soon-coming events to the world through the books of Daniel and Revelation, and also through the lens of the heavenly sanctuary. The good news is that the devil “knows that he has a short time” (Rev. 12:12), because Jesus has promised, “Behold I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:12). * Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1956), p. 109.

Jared Thurmon is director of marketing and innovation of Adventist World. He lives with his family and a number of alpacas near Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

Read more about What We Believe at www.adventist.org/en/beliefs/

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Global View

Welcome to the “Days of Noah” Finding grace in God’s eyes This article is adapted from a sermon presented on June 16, 2018, at the International Bible Conference in Rome, Italy. Elements of oral style have been retained.—Editors

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ust three days before He was crucified, Jesus spoke about His second coming, comparing endtime events with the days of Noah: “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. . . . They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matt. 24:37-39).

Today we see the social and cultural norms of the past, built on biblical foundations, disappearing fast.

Homosexuality and other sexual perversions are wrong according to the Bible. Yes, love people, but bring them to the foot of the cross where Christ can control their lives. Economic and political stability is uncertain. The ecumenical landscape is changing daily to reflect the fulfillment of Revelation 13, with the world wondering after, marveling at, and following the beast.

Into this setting Seventh-day Adventists have been called to proclaim Christ, His Word, His righteousness, His sanctuary service, His saving power in the great controversy, His three angels’ messages, His health message, His last-day mission to the world, and Christ’s soon second coming.

Let us never forget how God has led us, His current guidance, and His future leading. God never changes, and neither does His truth, as we come closer to Christ’s soon appearing.

FINDING GRACE

The antediluvian world was saturated with violent self-centeredness—the same as we see today. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. . . . But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Gen. 6:5-8).

When God looks on us, do we find grace in His eyes?

Does He find us faithful as Noah was? Thank God that in the “days of Noah” there was Noah! By the grace of God we can also be faithful to the calling of a last-day remnant people, who, by His grace and righteousness, will be His last generation on earth as we proclaim this precious Advent message.

We are to stand resolutely, as did Noah, in our proclamation of eschatological events. “Noah stood like a rock amid the tempest,” wrote Ellen White. “Surrounded by popular contempt and ridicule, he distinguished himself by his holy integrity and unwavering faithfulness.

A power attended his words, for it was the voice of God . . . through His servant. Connection with God made him strong in the strength of infinite power, while for one hundred and twenty years his solemn voice fell upon Photo: Michael Weidner

the ears of that generation in regard to events, which, so far as human wisdom could judge, were impossible.”1 “DAYS OF NOAH” SYNDROME

The same opposition in our day was foretold in the New Testament: “Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’ For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water” (2 Peter 3:3-6).

Do not fall for the “days of Noah” syndrome, casting doubt and cynicism on Christ’s second advent. Let’s continue to proclaim the end-time events pointing to Christ’s soon return, just as Noah proclaimed his last-day message. The coming of the Lord is the salvation to which we look forward in unabashed anticipation of eternal life, regardless of the cynicism and ridicule of the world. That same heavenly grace that saved Noah will save us.

POWER OF TMI AND TRUTH

Last year I, along with many others, had the privilege of preaching an evangelistic series in a Japan-wide Total Member Involvement (TMI) evangelistic series with 161 evangelistic sites. TMI has revolutionized our aging 15,000-member church in Japan. Members and pastors are now on fire for the Lord as they renew their focus on eschatology and our ultimate reward: to be with Jesus. TMI encompasses every aspect of seed-sowing, nurturing of the seed, reaping the seed, and challenging members to sow more seed.

We are told by Ellen White, “The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.”2 As God’s last generation of people, and I certainly hope we are, we are to exemplify His justifying and sanctifying righteousness in our living and witnessing, all through His power. The righteousness of Christ is the central core of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14. And it is Christ, whose righteousness we accept by faith, who gives us the power to overcome.

The marvelous cleansing of the literal sanctuary in heaven began in 1844 and is ongoing at this very time.

But Christ’s righteousness unfolding in the sanctuary service in the Most Holy Place will soon come to an end.

Let us not invent or promote new understandings of the foundational biblical truths entrusted to us from

The coming of the Lord is the salvation to which we look forward in unabashed anticipation of eternal life.

heaven at the formation of this great Advent movement.

Let us not think ourselves wiser than the Spirit of Prophecy with its amplifying and revealing instruction and absolute affirmation of God’s Holy Word.

Satan will not give up his fight to neutralize the distinctive eschatological messages entrusted to Seventh-day Adventists to proclaim in these last days. We are to make plain the Bible truth as it is in Jesus so that no one will be deceived by Satan.

RAPID EVENTS

Events now unfolding tell us the time is coming very soon in which attempts will be made to force the union of church and state. “The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty,” wrote Ellen White, “for it is the point of truth especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men, then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those who serve Him not.”3 The last events will be rapid ones, and will be actuated by the power of the Holy Spirit working in humble people who care about the eternal destiny of souls around them.4 Let us earnestly plead for the outpouring of the latter rain of the Holy Spirit as we humble ourselves before God, preparing our own hearts for the final, Holy Spirit-inspired proclamation of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

One of these days very soon we will look up and see a small, dark cloud. It will get larger and brighter, with millions of angels making up that marvelous cloud with a brilliant rainbow. In the middle of that incredible cloud will be the One we have waited for: our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, coming as King of kings and Lord of lords. What a day that will be!

I want to be there by His grace and righteousness, and

by God’s grace I hope to see you there too!

Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1890, 1908), p. 96.

Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), vol. 9, pp. 116, 117.

3 Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), p. 605.

4 Ibid., p. 612.

1 2

Ted N. C. Wilson is president of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church. Additional articles and commentaries are available from the president’s office on Twitter @pastortedwilson and on Facebook @Pastor Ted Wilson.

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Devotional

The Troublemakers M

y dad was a pastor. Every time our family moved to a new assignment, people would warn him of “the troublemakers.” You know about troublemakers—the ones who give constant grief on committees, in church, or at work.

Dad would pay special attention to the cranky, irritable, griping ones.

He’d search for the good things in each one and affirm each person for their strengths. Dad would win over the “troublemakers,” and very often they became his strongest supporters. They would do almost anything for him. Sometimes Dad would get upset with people, but he was always quick to humble himself and apologize.

When he and Mom were called to a new conference, the troublemakers would weep over his departure.

Years later, when I met some of those members, they talked fondly about my dad, and how he had blessed their lives.

IT HAPPENS

How do we handle those who seem to undermine us or criticize us? How do we react to angry looks, harsh words, and un-Christlike behavior? You may not believe it if you’re feeling attacked right now, but prayer works. Pray—and keep praying. Tell God how you 18

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feel; pour out to Him how badly it hurts. Ask Him to change your heart, to help you see that person the way He does.

One morning during my worship I complained to God about a person while attempting to read my Bible.

But I couldn’t seem to concentrate.

Frustrated, I gave up reading and began sharing openly with God. Just then I read a verse, and it sounded as if God was speaking straight to my heart, asking me to pray prayers of blessing for a specific person. He wanted me to praise and thank Him for them.

“No way! I don’t want that individual to be blessed. I don’t want that person to look better than I do spiritually. I am not thankful for them.”

I eventually gave up and decided to pray for that person, because I knew it was God’s desire. In my prayers I asked God to bless that person spiritually and emotionally.

I praised and thanked God for them, even though I didn’t feel like it. Then something strange happened. My hurt feelings disappeared. God filled my heart with compassion and love. It wasn’t easy. But it was liberating and it brought heavenly joy. I don’t know why I drag my feet in doing what God wants me to do when I know He is so amazing!

WHAT GOD TAUGHT ME

Here’s what I’ve learned: Humble yourself before the Lord.

Pray, “Lord, help me understand what Jesus went through for me when He was crucified. Change me, so that I can ask You to forgive the one hurting me” (see Jer. 17:9).

Thank God for taking away your hurt feelings. You may not feel like the pain is gone, but thank Him ahead of time for healing your heart. God has amazing ways to dissolve our hurt.

Pray for ways to love others.

Encourage them. Pray to see them through God’s heart. Try to see how hard or frustrating life must be for them.

Praise and thank God that He has put them in your life. It really helps.

We know the reality of the great controversy. God desperately needs people who are willing to die to themselves and allow Him to mold their hearts to be like His. It’s time that we let Jesus love others—even our enemies—through us!

Janet Page serves as associate Ministerial Association secretary for pastoral spouses, families, and prayer at the General Conference.

This article was originally published in The Journal: A Resource for Ministry Spouses, third quarter 2014.

Millennial Voices

Impressions

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ao kahani sunte hai, “Come, let us listen to a story.” That’s the invitation extended every Sabbath afternoon to the little ones living in makeshift homes rising up next to every larger construction site. As we went from house to house calling out for them, the children, recognizing our voices, would wiggle out of their mother’s laps or leave their toys and playmates to join the branch Sabbath School.

Like little wanderers, these children followed their parents from one construction project to the next. The branch Sabbath School was probably their only exposure to some form of education. It was exciting to sing, share, and teach about the good news. The children loved the action songs and music. They were captivated by the pictures. But most of all they waited for the little sweet treats and food we brought along.

It was wonderful to see their eyes light up as they heard Bible stories. One of the all-time favorites was the story of David and Goliath and the Hindi song that went with it. Their eyes were fixated on the characters as they laughed and giggled while the story was being enacted.

“Children are a heritage from the Lord,” writes the psalmist (Ps. 127:3). These little ones were precious! I recognized this as I helped Grandma Margaret Nathaniel in the branch Sabbath School and Adventurers Club she had organized in various parts of the town of Hosur, located in the state of Tamil Nadu, in India. Her passion and dedication to nurture children were contagious. She would plan for the activities during the week: gathering material for the lessons or honors; preparing the material needed for the activities; and sending them to the respective teachers. She never failed to involve me in her ministry even during my brief visits to Hosur. Grandma Margaret, as I called her, inspired not only me but many others too. She taught me the impor-

Her passion and dedication to nurture children were contagious.

tance of caring for these little ones with their impressionable minds.

The gift of mentorship is priceless.

I was able to care for and love the children living in abject poverty next to the many construction sites in Hosur because of the values instilled in me while helping Grandma Margaret. I also learned how to organize and execute plans that would benefit not only the children but their parents too. Most of all, I learned of her dedication to God’s love for the people surrounding us. She taught me to be salt as we walk and live in this world. That’s one thing I will always cherish and possess.

Inspired by Grandma Margaret, I joined EYES, a youth group of the Hosur English church that focuses on touching the community around the church. We frequently visited the Love orphanage, which helped form a special bond between the children of the orphanage and the teens and young adults of the church. We organized an outing to the Science Museum in Bangalore, the nearest city to Hosur. The children, beaming with excitement, were glued to the windows of the vehicle as they absorbed the sights and sounds of the city. They also enjoyed discovering new things at the museum. That day those orphans experienced the gift of time and love. This was made possible through the often unseen efforts of the adults supporting EYES, who helped foster a sense of responsibility and care in the youth of the church.

Every Timothy needs a Paul. Legacy happens when we pass on the passion to serve our Master from one generation to another.

Beersheba Maywald, originally from Tamil Nadu in India, is working on a Master of Arts in religion with a New Testament emphasis at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies in Silang, Cavite, Philippines.

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Mission

Light in the Jungle Learning the truth meant sharing the truth.

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uan stepped off the bus and looked around to get his bearings. The teenager had never been in a city before, never seen such tall buildings and busy streets. But he had no time to gaze at the scene, for he was on a mission. But he didn’t know where to start. He bowed his head and prayed, “God, direct me to people who keep Your Sabbath.” Then he started walking.

He passed busy shops and dodged honking cars as he wandered through town. He stopped in front of a theater and watched as people entered. Not sure what was happening inside, he followed the crowd up the steps and to the large doors. At the door a woman welcomed him to a large hall filling with people. He sat down and waited.

JUAN’S LONG JOURNEY

Juan grew up in a small isolated village in the jungle of southeastern Ecuador. His people knew little about God. But Juan, eager to learn anything he could, attended high school in another small 20

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town. When someone gave him a New Testament, he read it eagerly.

He discovered truths about God that he had never heard. A hunger grew in his heart, and Juan asked God to teach him how to follow Jesus.

Juan often walked to another town to buy supplies for his family.

Once while there, he found a tattered book lying in a pile of trash.

He picked it up and began reading it. The book, The Principles of Life, by Ellen White, confirmed what Juan had been reading in his Bible. One truth stood out: the Sabbath. He had never heard of a church that keeps the Sabbath, but the longing in his heart would not let go, and at age 19 Juan set out to find the people who kept the Sabbath.

He walked through the jungle for three days to reach the nearest town of any size. There he asked people where he could find people who worship on the Sabbath. But no one knew about Sabbathkeepers there. “Go to Ambato” someone told him. So with his last few dollars Juan bought a bus ticket to Ambato.

He arrived late in the afternoon and started walking in search of God’s people. Then he found the theater.

Juan, he realized that this boy knew God’s Word well; he agreed to baptize him. Juan had never been inside an Adventist church until the day he was baptized.

FINDING GOD’S PEOPLE

FIRSTFRUITS OF FAITH

Soon after Juan had taken his seat, a man stood to speak. Juan listened with growing excitement as the man talked about God, the Sabbath, and other truths Juan had read about in his Bible. Juan was certain that God had guided him from his jungle home to this very theater so he could find people who kept His commandments.

After the meeting Juan found a pastor and told him, “I want to be baptized!”

The surprised pastor asked to meet with Juan the next day. A lay member offered Juan a place to stay and took him to visit the pastor the next morning. As the pastor quizzed

The pastor taught classes on health, marriage, and family life, as well as Bible classes. Juan had already taught the people as much as he knew about these truths, so by the end of the week 15 people were ready to be baptized. Several men accepted the Bible teachings but couldn’t be baptized because they had two wives. But they promised to be ready for baptism the next time the pastor came.

After the pastor returned to Ambato, Juan continued sharing God’s Word in his own village and several surrounding villages. Five months later the pastor returned to teach for another week and to

After his personal search for Bible truth, Juan helped to organize an Adventist congregation in his village that meets in this building.

A GOD TO SHARE

Juan was eager to return home to share his new faith. He told his villagers, “We have a God who loves us and wants to meet with us on His Sabbath. He has many things to teach us.”

At first only a few people listened to Juan’s message. But as Juan shared his faith during the next four months, some people began to accept what he was teaching them.

Juan realized that he needed help to teach the people all they needed to know. So he made the long journey back to Ambato to invite the pastor to visit his village and help teach the people. The pastor agreed to go, and the two men flew to an airstrip in the rain forest. They hired some men to help carry the materials the pastor had brought; then they trekked for a day and a half in oppressive heat through mosquito-infested jungles and across several rivers to the village of Saant.

Photo provided by the author

baptize those who were ready. By this time the villagers had built a simple church of thatch and wood that was filled with worshippers on Sabbath.

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) sponsored a literacy program to teach the people to read so they could read the Bible for themselves. Members of the Ambato church came and conducted a large health ministry and Vacation Bible School program for the villagers.

A GROWING CHURCH

Today many people in Juan’s jungle village have given their lives to God and been baptized into the Adventist Church. Some of the new believers help Juan spread God’s message to those in other villages who are waiting to hear. Simple chapels now stand in several of these villages.

Juan thanks God for leading him to the Adventist Church and helping him share the gospel message with others.

Charlotte Ishkanian, who lives in the state of Maryland, United States, spent many years traveling the world and writing mission stories for church publications.

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Discovering the Spirit of Prophecy

An Atheist Confirms Ellen White’s Counsel

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s a fourth-generation Seventh-day Adventist I often reflect on the rich heritage of faith my parents gave me. My mother once mentioned, “The blessings of being a Seventh-day Adventist have surely seeped into your genes and chromosomes by now.” The Sabbath has always been part of my life, as well as the prophetic gift of Ellen White.

It became somewhat confusing then, while growing up, to hear some Adventist voices questioning aspects of Ellen White’s writings. For example, some suggested that her historical accounts might not be trustworthy; her counsels for healthful living might be outdated. This bewildered me. Would not the God of truth guard the messages He gave prophets to proclaim? I placed such questions on a “shelf” in my mind to deal with later. I didn’t feel equipped to resolve such issues.

When my husband pastored in the state of Arizona our district was near a state university. I applied to the university to study nutrition. It would be the perfect opportunity to explore some of the topics I had “shelved.” It turned out to be a life-changing experience, with Ellen White’s writings grounded and amplified more than I expected.

PUT TO THE TEST

I took more than 30 academic semester hours from several different professors. My ears perked up the first day in Advanced Nutrition when the professor began describing why she was an atheist. I thought: This should be a good time to learn advanced nutritional principles from an atheist who would have no “agenda” to either prove or disprove Ellen White.

Professor Phillips had taught nutrition for more than 30 years, having just come to Arizona after teaching at Purdue University—known for its strong nutrition program. After a first class with Phillips, I registered for every class she taught—enabling me to pose the nutritional questions I had. Her responses cleared up everything and more.

When we covered the nutritional aspects of carbohydrates and grains, Phillips mentioned that because of the problems associated with baking soda, it should not be used.

Ellen White mentioned this more than a century before: “The use of soda or baking powder in breadmaking is harmful and unnecessary. Soda causes inflammation of the stomach and often poisons the entire system.

Many housewives think that they cannot make good bread without soda, but this is an error. If they would take the trouble to learn better methods, their bread would be more wholesome, and, to a natural taste, it would be more palatable.”1 Photo: Brooke Cagle

Moreover, Phillips described how baking powder was developed to help cooks make biscuits without some of the harmful effects of baking soda. It does help, she stated, to better balance the pH of the baked goods, but some of the other ingredients added may unbalance the intended benefits. Also, both baking powder and baking soda, when added to bread/biscuit doughs, may reduce the availability of vitamin C, riboflavin, and thiamin, but not others, such as niacin and folic acid.

For these reasons, when possible, yeast is the most healthful leavening agent to use.

Without mentioning why I was curious, I also asked Phillips about the use of vinegar. She had mentioned in class that vinegar was made from acetic acid—a harmful acid in high concentrations—and distilled water. I questioned that since vinegar had only a small amount of acetic acid diluted with so much water, was it really that dangerous? She replied: “It all depends on how diluted you want your poison.”

I recalled what Ellen White had written a century before about the harmfulness of vinegar: “The salads are prepared with oil and vinegar, fermentation takes place in the stomach, and the food does not digest, but decays or putrefies; as a consequence, the blood is not nourished, but becomes filled with impurities, and liver and kidney difficulty appear.”2 When lectures reached the section on protein, Phillips made another statement that caught my attention: “I am an atheist but the God of the Hebrews had it right.” She went on to lecture about how ancient Hebrews were forbidden to eat the fat and blood of animals. Both are known to be harmful to the health of the human body. Even when all visible fat is removed, their tissue

still contains significant amounts of “invisible” saturated fat and cholesterol. If the fat and blood could be fully removed, the meat would be an unappealing color, with a very rubbery texture and little flavor.

Professor Phillips explained that animals get their protein from plants. Consequently humans, thinking they need to eat meat for protein, are merely getting their protein “secondhand.” Again this reminded me of what Ellen White had written long ago: “Those who eat flesh are but eating grains and vegetables at second hand, for the animal receives from these things the nutrition that produces growth.

The life that was in the grains and vegetables passes into the eater.

We receive it by eating the flesh of the animal. How much better to get it direct, by eating the food that God provided for our use!”3 Phillips insisted that humans have been taught to think that they need much more protein than they actually do. The unnecessary excess burdens human organs. The body’s primary need is for energy (calories) from unrefined carbohydrates, not protein.

Phillips then moved into a section of material that horrified me—the modern treatment of farm animals: confined animal feeding operations (CAFO). We learned of the appalling treatment of animals—chickens, geese, turkeys, cows, baby calves for veal, pigs, fish, and lamb—that are raised for slaughter. Each year billions of these animals in the United States alone are confined to horrendous conditions from birth to slaughter to satisfy the tainted palates of human beings.

At the time I had no idea that this was going on. It again reminded me of what Ellen White wrote more than 100 years ago, even before these modern methods were being implemented: “Flesh

Phillips made a statement that caught my attention: “I am an atheist but the God of the Hebrews had it right.” was never the best food; but its use is now doubly objectionable, since disease in animals is so rapidly increasing. Those who use flesh foods little know what they are eating.

Often if they could see the animals when living and know the quality of the meat they eat, they would turn from it with loathing.”4 FAITH REINFORCED

Professor Phillips never knew the background of my keen interest in nutrition. But it was apparent that she had done her homework in food chemistry. She confirmed many of the health principles given decades earlier by Ellen White more strongly than I could have imagined. I was convicted that God had given Seventh-day Adventists the chance to be a “light on the hill,” sharing the blessings of good health principles. It’s sad that we’ve been so slow in being the blessing we could be.

Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905, pp. 300, 301.

2 Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1938), p. 345.

3 Ellen G. White, Child Guidance (Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Pub. Assn., 1954), p. 382.

4 Ibid., p. 383. (Italics supplied.)

1

Jo Ann Davidson, Ph.D., serves as a professor of systematic theology at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University, in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States.

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Faith in Action

Adventist Encyclopedia Project Under “New Management” Managing editor shares goals and ways it’s changing lives.

During its Spring Meeting held at the Adventist Church’s world headquarters on April 14, 2015, the General Conference Executive Committee approved a budget for the Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists (ESDA). The ESDA is a brand-new reference work. In May 2018 Dragoslava Santrac, Ph.D., accepted the position of managing editor for the project. Adventist World assistant editor Sandra Blackmer recently talked with Santrac about her ESDA responsibilities, the goals of the project, and the difference it is already making among church members of all ages throughout the world field.—Editors Describe the responsibilities of your role as managing editor of the ESDA project.

In a nutshell, the managing editor manages and guides the processes and functions required to develop and launch the encyclopedia, including generating continued support and promoting the project by writing articles, making presentations, coordinating selections and workflow of personnel involved in the project development, developing resource processes, and planning for guiding the process to a successful launch.

What has helped to prepare you for this role?

Together with my academic and professional backgrounds [see sidebar], I have to say that the groundwork was led by my parents, who taught me 24

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to love God and His church. They also taught me to value hard work, commitment, and integrity.

Since I’ve lived and worked in four [world church] divisions, I’ve gained a broad, global perspective of diverse cultures and the many different ways people live and think. I’ve also learned that there is much more that connects us than separates us.

The ESDA project is under the auspices of the General Conference Archives, Statistics, and Research [ASTR]?

Yes. The project is directed by and based at ASTR. David Trim, director of ASTR, is editor of the ESDA. Where were you born and raised?

I was born in France and spent the first eight years of my life there.

My parents then returned to Serbia, their country of origin. My small village church there of 25 members really shaped me for life. People looked out for each other. I also learned that my life is a testimony that speaks louder than words.

That’s something I recognize now Photo: Merle Poirier

as I research the biographies of early Adventists and pioneers.

It’s been two decades since the second revised edition of the Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia was published, and more than 50 years since the first edition; so what changes or additional information do you plan to include?

The new encyclopedia is not an update of the Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia but a whole new project. Some people may ask, “Why not just update the current encyclopedia? Why a new encyclopedia?”

Writing new articles for the ESDA does not suggest rewriting the history, although it will involve correcting inaccurate information, if such exists in the current encyclopedia. New research will bring a fresh perspective that will speak to contemporary generations of Adventists as well as updated information. The authors will verify the old sources and include new relevant materials.

We are adding lots of new entries.

Much church development and

growth in numbers and scholarship have happened in 50 years, so the new encyclopedia will embrace and incorporate that growth. We are doing lots of new research, and we hope that at least the printed edition of the encyclopedia will have more than 8,500 articles, which is almost double that of the current encyclopedia. We first are focusing on an online edition, which is scheduled to be launched at the 2020 General Conference session. It will be a free website that will be expanded and updated year by year as the church grows.

What else will be different with this new encyclopedia?

We’ll be including historical data from world regions that previously were left out of the encyclopedia.

Also, even though the authors of the earlier editions tried to present an international worldwide perspective, some feel that it was written mostly from a North American perspective. So we’re drawing on the expertise of thousands of scholars, teachers, and authors worldwide. About 20

Santrac’s Experience and Background Dragoslava Santrac, Ph.D., is managing editor (May 2018 to present) of the Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia project, headquartered at the General Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, and an adjunct professor of religion at Washington Adventist University, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States (2015 to present).

ACADEMICS B.A. in Theology from Belgrade Theological Seminary, Serbia (1997) Master of Arts in Religion from Andrews University, United States (1999) Doctorate in Old Testament Studies from Greenwich School of Theology, United Kingdom (affiliated with North-West University, South Africa) (2013). Santrac’s dissertation, “Sanctuary Cult in Relation to Religious Piety

assistant editors and others from all 13 divisions and the Middle East and North Africa [MENA] Union Mission are working with us on this project [see sidebar].

Another advantage of worldwide involvement is that the assistant editors can collect materials from their local churches, such as letters and diaries that members keep and never think of sharing unless asked. They can also collect information based on tradition by conducting interviews with surviving relatives or people who know about specific historical events. Sadly, such information can vanish if not put in writing.

Is this involvement with the project making a difference in those regions?

Yes, definitely. Many local churches are being revived because they now believe that what was done or happened in their part of the world matters to the world church, that it is an important part of our church history. People living in remote areas sometimes feel separated from the world church.

in the Book of Psalms,” was published by Lambert Academic Publishing (2013).

EXPERIENCE Editor of Zivot i Zdravlje and Teofil for SouthEast European Union (1999–2006) Registrar of the Belgrade Theological Seminary (1999–2006) Fifteen years of teaching (Belgrade Theological Seminary, Serbia; University of the Southern Caribbean, Trinidad, West Indies; Washington Adventist University, United States)

Associate editor of the Seventh-day Adventist International BiblicalTheological Dictionary (2016–present) Has lived and worked in four church territories: Inter-European Division, Trans-European Division, Inter-American Division, and North American Division

FAMILY Husband, Aleksandar, chair of the Department of Religion at Washington Adventist University. The couple has two daughters.

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This project is helping them to feel validated and connected.

Our assistant editor in the South American Division shared with me that he and his students and some young people from local area churches have been working on 45 biographies. It resulted in a revival and reformation for them. The young people told him that they now feel connected to the church and its history. They couldn’t believe there were so many people in their history and local area that had done such wonderful things for God, and that God did great things through them. They now say they must do something for mission, too, or this spirit will die. “Our generation must not allow something like that to happen,” they said. “We have to continue.”

This elevates the ESDA project from just the printed page, from the intellectual level, to a spiritual level because it’s affecting and changing people. We want them to know that it’s not just people such as James White and Joseph Bates who made a difference; so many more are making a difference as well.

In what ways do you see the ESDA as being important to the church?

We don’t want our people to have only snippets of history; we want the encyclopedia to provide a broad picture of God’s leading of His people throughout history. Then we can see where we all fit. We realize, “I am part of a historical community, and I have a role to play.” Seeing a broad picture of God’s leading in history helps us see our place—and not only for the present; it gives us hope for the future.

It also fosters strength and identity of individuals and the church as a community. When we see gradual development and unfolding of God’s purposes throughout history, we realize that we are going to get through whatever current

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challenges and problems we may be experiencing. God is in control.

Are you collaborating with other departments in the General Conference building?

Yes, and outside entities as well. Our institutional partners include the Ellen G. White Estate, the Center for Adventist Research at Andrews University, Adventist Digital Library, Adventist Review Ministries, Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, Centro Universitario Adventista de Sao Paulo, Friedensau University, Oakwood University, and Washington Adventist University. They are helping us in an advisory role and providing peer-review feedback.

Who previously headed the project?

Benjamin Baker. He continues to support the project as an author and reviewer. I’m deeply grateful to him for the work he did and for his ongoing support.

Is there anything else that is important for our readers to know?

Yes. We invite researchers, teachers, students, and members with expertise on many given subjects—not only scholars in history and theology—to contribute articles on topics not yet covered by our invitation-only editorial process.

We welcome help in other areas too, including peer reviewing; proofreading; conducting interviews to collect historical information based on overall traditions; and submitting missionary letters, photographs, and artifacts. We are also open to considering new research and unplanned articles. This project is not just for scholars; it’s for everyone.

To contact Dragoslava Santrac, e-mail encyclopedia@gc.adventist. org, go to www.adventistarchives. org/encyclopedia, or follow ESDA on Twitter @EncyclopediaSDA.

The ESDA team The ESDA main office: David Trim, editor; Dragoslava Santrac, managing editor; Patricia Brauer, office assistant Regional editors: Nathaniel Walemba (ECD), Daniel Heinz (ESD), Stefan Hoeschele (EUD), Felix Cortez, Glenn Phillips (IAD), Farid El Khoury (MENA), Douglas Morgan (NAD), Bruce Lo (NSD), Adolfo Suarez (SAD), Passmore Hachalinga (SID), Barry Oliver (SPD), Remwil Tornalejo (SSD), Gordon Christo (SUD), Paul Lockham (TED), Onaolapo Ajibade (WAD) Thematic editors: Michael Campbell, Frank Hasel, Tim Poirier, Alberto Timm Subeditors and regional editors’ assistants: Carlos Flávio, John Fowler, Denis Kaiser, Samuel London, Daniel Plenc, Dennis Pettibone, Gluder Quispe, Renato Stencel, Melanie Wixwat, Chigemezi Wogu Consultant editors: division secretaries or chosen by the division Disciplinary consultant editors: Bruce Anderson, Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, Lisa ClarkDiller, Cheryl Doss, Bruce Lo, Duane McBride, Ekkehardt Mueller, Dan Shultz, Ella Simmons, Karl Wilcox Editorial Board: Artur Stele, chair; David Trim, secretary; managing editor; selected General Conference representatives; division consultant editors; General Conference president, secretary, and treasurer

Bible Questions Answered

The Law of the Spirit of Life Q

What is “the law of the Spirit of life” spoken about by Paul in Romans 8:2?

A

Romans 8:1-4 builds on what Paul discussed in the previous chapters, particularly the connection between the law, sin, and death. Romans 8:1-4 seems specifically to develop Romans 7:6, where the two ideas present in our passage are found: freedom from the law, sin, and death, and a new life in Christ (cf. Rom. 6:1-14).

1. ORGANIZATION OF ROMANS 8:1-4

Paul begins the discussion with a summary statement (verse 1) that is developed in the following verses. The primary emphasis will be on the lives of believers. Paul combines liberation through the “law of the Spirit of life” with the death of Jesus (verse 2). He literally says: “The law of the Spirit of life [the source of a new life] in/through Christ Jesus liberated you [singular; i.e. “the believer”] from the law of sin and of death.” What Christ did changes the lives of believers. This was necessary, for there was something the law could not do, but that was accomplished through Christ (verse 3). Paul explains both of these concepts to clarify the meaning of “the law of the Spirit of life liberated me from the law of sin and death.”

2. THE STATEMENT

“There is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (verse 1). The “now” indicates that the new has arrived, resolving the problem of the condemnation of the law associated by Paul with the trespass of Adam (Rom. 5:12, 17). Adam’s fall constituted humanity into an indistinguishable mass of sinners destined to death; but Christ came with liberating power. Those who are in Christ are free from the condemnation of death into new life.

Paul explains how this happens.

3. THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT

In verse 2 Paul explains verse 1: “Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life . . . [set me free] from the law of sin and death” (NIV).

These two laws happen to be the same law viewed from two different perspectives: The law under the flesh leads to death, while the same law, under the power of the Spirit, leads to a new life. Christ delivers us from the cosmic powers of sin and death (justification), and the Spirit delivers us from the enslaving power of sin in our daily lives (sanctification). According to Paul, the law of God has been misused by sin, resulting in condemnation and death (Rom. 7:7-12). Humans misused it by seeking God’s acceptance through the works of the law, that is, “the law of sin and death.” The “law of the Spirit of life” is the same law connected to the Spirit, not to the flesh. There is a proper place for God’s law in the Christian life.

4. LAW, CHRIST, AND THE SPIRT

The problem, says Paul, was not the law itself but the weakness of the “flesh” (Rom. 8:3). Confronted with sin and death, the law was powerless because the flesh is hostile to God and cannot “submit to God’s law” (verse 7, NIV). The solution is the sacrificial death of the Son of God, who condemned sin in the flesh, liberating us from the condemnation of the law (verse 3), and enabling us to live in obedience to God’s will through the Spirit. Now the law is restored to its proper place and called “the law of the Spirit of life.” Christ died for us “in order that the righteous requirement of the law [the law of the Spirit of life] might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the [sinful nature] [seeking acceptance from God through the works of the law] but according to the Spirit” (verse 4, NIV). The weakness of the flesh is overcome, and the Spirit enables us to obey the righteous requirements of God’s law.

Angel Manuel Rodríguez is retired after a career serving as a pastor, professor, and theologian.

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“May I Tell You a Story?”

BY DICK DUERKSEN

Pastor Anderson’s Oranges

T

his story begins in the United States, at Battle Creek College in 1895. Harry Anderson* was a student at Battle Creek, studying to be a teacher and preacher, maybe even a missionary. He was also in love with Nora, a brilliant young woman who shared his dream of mission service. Both had been raised on large farms.

The opportunity came sooner than the couple had dreamed possible.

Ten weeks before graduation the General Conference asked Harry and Nora to leave “immediately” for Africa, where they would be working at Solusi, a new school in Rhodesia, the country now known as Zimbabwe.

The Andersons tried unsuccessfully to get church leaders to delay their trip until after graduation. “There must be a farm at the school,” the mission director said, “and you need to be there to get it started.”

On a cold March morning they began their long journey to Capetown, South Africa.

The Andersons joined two other missionary families at Solusi and began building classrooms, preparing land, planting crops, and learning the language. It was hard work in an unforgiving climate. When the other missionary families became ill and had to leave the school, the General Conference sent replacement families. Those families quickly returned home after contracting malaria and other tropical diseases.

The school cemetery soon had several tombstones marking the sacrifices of these missionary families. *** Eight years later, with Solusi now filled with eager students, the Andersons were asked to move to northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and start another school there. Harry Anderson began a four-month journey, walking north, searching for the perfect land. “It must be near a large population center,” he said. “It must have a clear and pure artesian spring. It must have much flat land with rich soil that will support 28

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citrus, wheat, and many other crops. And it must be near the railway.”

It took much searching until finally Anderson negotiated with Monze, chief of the Batonga people, for 5,000 acres of land in a place he called Rusangu. A year later, with a cart pulled by 16 oxen, Harry Anderson, his wife, Nora, and their young daughter, Naomi, camped next to the Rusangu spring.

“This,” Anderson told them again, “is the best spring in Africa.”

The family slept in their canvas tent that night. In the morning Anderson opened the tent flap and saw a tall African man standing beside a tree looking at him.

Anderson spoke English, and had learned to speak Sentebale at Solusi.

But this man did not speak English, and knew only a few words of Sentebale.

Chitonga was his language, and he spoke it with many signs, trying hard to speak so the teacher would understand.

“Are you the teacher?”

“Yes.” “Then teach me. I have come to school.”

Anderson tried to explain that he needed to build a house and schoolPhoto: Dick Duerksen

“You must water it every day. No exceptions. It will thrive on your loving care.” rooms, and that he needed to clear some land for his orange trees. But the man did not understand.

“Teach me now” was all Anderson heard.

The next morning there were more men, standing by the spring, asking for the teacher to teach them—now.

Nora Anderson solved the problem.

“Harry,” she smiled, “didn’t we come here to start a school?”

That day Teacher Anderson took the men with him into the forest and began cutting timber for the school buildings, tables, beds, and desks. In the hot afternoons they sat beneath a tree and studied languages and Scripture together.

Two years later Rusangu’s classrooms were filled with students, the farm fields were ripe with grain, and a grove of small orange trees was producing its first oranges.

One afternoon as Anderson was returning home from teaching a Bible class, 10 strange men approached him near the orange grove. By now the Andersons all spoke Chitonga and Sentebale, and with a little bit of English conversations were much less work.

“Give us oranges,” the men said.

“I cannot give you each an orange,” Anderson answered. “There is only one orange left from this year’s crop. But if you come to my house tomorrow afternoon, I will give you something better than an orange.” *** The next afternoon all 10 men were waiting for Horticulturist Anderson beside the orange grove. Greeting them, Teacher Anderson reached into his pack and brought out one orange and a pocketknife. Carefully he peeled the orange and divided it into sections, just enough for each man to taste one small section of orange.

You should have heard the lip-smackings as each man made sure every drop of juice made it to his flavor buds!

When the orange was gone, Anderson invited the men to his house to receive their special gift. “This is far better than an orange,” he told them.

At the Anderson home each of the men was given a small orange tree, tall enough to be planted in the grove but small enough to fit into their hands.

“This is an orange tree,” said the teacher. “I will show you where to plant it in the grove. I will help you plant it.

Then I will show you how to care for it. If you follow my directions and care for it well every day, your tree will give you at least one orange next year.”

The men were overwhelmed with the incredible gift. They followed Anderson to the grove and carefully followed his directions for preparing the ground, adding the fish fertilizer, and watering the small tree.

“You must water it every day,” Anderson told them. “No exceptions. It will thrive on your loving care.”

The men planted their trees and returned to their homes. The next day each man brought his family to Rusangu to see their orange tree and to make sure it was cared for perfectly. Day after day they came, caring for their trees and learning about God. I stood in front of Harry Anderson’s house one day, sharing cool shade with Life Mutaka, director of education for the Southern Zambia Union Conference, and member of the board for one of the largest Adventist universities in the world: Rusangu Adventist University.

“My grandfather was one of those 10 men,” smiled Mutaka. “This is where he met Jesus, and a fresh orange is still my favorite flavor.” *William Harrison “Harry” Anderson (the missionary) should not be confused with Joseph Harry Anderson (the artist).

Publisher The Adventist World, an international periodical of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The General Conference, Northern Asia-Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists®, is the publisher.

Executive Editor/Director of Adventist Review Ministries Bill Knott International Publishing Manager Chun, Pyung Duk Adventist World Coordinating Committee Si Young Kim, chair; Yukata Inada; German Lust; Chun, Pyung Duk; Han, Suk Hee; Lyu, Dong Jin Associate Editors/Directors, Adventist Review Ministries Lael Caesar, Gerald A. Klingbeil, Greg Scott Editors based in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA Sandra Blackmer, Stephen Chavez, Costin Jordache, Wilona Karimabadi Editors based in Seoul, Korea Chun, Pyung Duk; Park, Jae Man; Kim, Hyo-Jun Digital Platform Manager Gabriel Begle Operations Manager Merle Poirier Editorial Assessment Coordinator Marvene Thorpe-Baptiste Editors-at-Large/Advisors Mark A. Finley, John M. Fowler, E. Edward Zinke Financial Manager Kimberly Brown Management Board Si Young Kim, chair; Bill Knott, secretary; Chun, Pyung Duk; Karnik Doukmetzian; Han, Suk Hee; Yutaka Inada; Gerald A. Klingbeil; Joel Tompkins; Ray Wahlen; Ex-officio: Juan Prestol-Puesán; G. T. Ng; Ted N. C. Wilson Art Direction and Design Types & Symbols To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Address all editorial correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600, U.S.A. Editorial office fax number: (301) 680-6638 E-mail: worldeditor@gc.adventist.org Web site: www.adventistworld.org Unless otherwise indicated, all Bible references are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

Unless otherwise noted, all prominent photos are © Getty Images 2019.

Adventist World is published monthly and printed simultaneously in Korea, Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, Germany, Austria, Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States.

Vol. 15, No. 3

Dick Duerksen, a pastor and storyteller living in Portland, Oregon, United States, is known around the world as “an itinerant pollinator of grace.”

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noticeboard noticeboard Wedding PARKER-CAVE. Andrew Parker, son of Pastor Michael and Carola Parker (Bonnells Bay, NSW), and Cherelle Cave, daughter of Peter Cave (Luton, Bedfordshire, UK) and Julianna Phillips (Telford, Shropshire), were married on 13.4.18 at Dodford Manor, Shropshire. The couple met while both working for ADRA UK and plan to live in Australia.

Barry Gane

Obituaries BENNETT, Sylvia, (nee Berger), born 13.6.1942 in Allahabad, India; died 14.1.19 in Rossmoyne, WA. She is survived by her siblings Rick and Averil, (Perth, WA), Errol (UK), Gene (Spain), Robin and Jill (Perth, WA,) and Lena and John (Perth). Sylvia’s father worked

for the railways in Northern India and it was there that they joined the Adventist Church and became friends with the Down and Maberly families. Sylvia loved children and was the favourite aunt in her family. While working as a disability carer she suffered an aneurysm, which left her in a coma. She recovered and spent the last 13 years at Adventist Care where she often chose and sang her favourite hymn, “What a friend we have in Jesus”.

Roger Millist

BOYD, Thelma,

(nee Chivell), born 3.9.1930 in Bruce Rock, WA; died 3.1.19 in Rossmoyne. On 22.9.1951 she married Norm Boyd, who predeceased her in 2000. Thel is survived by her children Dawn (Swansea, NSW), Rhonda McKay (Perth, WA) and Murray Boyd (Corrigin); grandchildren Angela, Esther, Trevor, Michael, Ashlee and Brendan; eight great-grand-

children; and siblings Joy Martin and Lillian Chapman. Thel spent most of her life in the Western Australia wheat belt. She was an industrious lady who found satisfaction in helping others, being involved on the family farm and serving in her church and community. As a young couple, Thel and Norm joined with others in the district to study their Bibles, which resulted in them joining the Church, a decision they never regretted.

Roger Millist

BROWN, David,

born 10.7.1940 in Richmond, Vic; died 6.1.19 in Melbourne.

On 14.9.1974 he married Rosina, who predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his brother Geoffrey. He was loved by Rosina’s children Sharon and Kevin.

He was also loved and seen as a grandfather to Adam and Danni and as a great-grandfather to Samuel, Jacob, Charlotte and

Maddi. He is also survived by his sisters Lois and Beverley.

David was the leading deacon at Hughesdale church for many years. His great desire was to see Jesus return.

David Pearce

DOOLAN, Violet, born

1.7.1945 at Rumbalara railway siding just north of Finke, NT; died 26.9.18 in Alice Springs Hospital. She was predeceased by her first husband Wandy Williams Bush and her second husband Yundu Spider. She was also predeceased by her only son Joseph. Violet is survived by her step-children Janet Amos (Port Augusta, SA), Peter Amos (Oodnadatta), Marie and Julie Amos (Port Augusta); her brothers Richard Doolan (Finke, NT) and Peter Doolan (Titjikala); and grandchildren Simon, Nathan, Violet and Barry. One night in Oodnadatta while she was living away from Jesus she heard the

POSITIONS VACANT PACIFIC ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY PORT MORESBY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA Pacific Adventist University in Port Moresby is seeking applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the position of lecturer in history in the School of Humanities, Education and Theology. The ideal candidate would have a research-based postgraduate masters or doctoral degree in history, with a demonstrated capacity to strengthen teaching, research, scholarly and professional activities and build the university’s reputation. For more information please visit the South Pacific Division’s Human Resources website: <adventistemployment.org.au>. All applications, including your CV, three work-related referees and a reference from your church pastor, must be forwarded to: Human Resources, Seventh-day Adventist Church (Pacific) Limited, Locked Bag 2014, Wahroonga NSW 2076, Australia; email <hr@adventist.org.au>; fax (02) 9489 0943. Applications close March 11, 2019.

DIRECTOR, STUDENT ADMINISTRATION SERVICES, AVONDALE COLLEGE OF HIGHER EDUCATION COORANBONG, NSW The director of student administration is responsible for the general administrative and operational oversight of Avondale’s Student Administration Services department, and particularly the Academic Office, to ensure the effectiveness and timeliness of admission and enrolment processes, the accuracy and security of all academic records, examination procedures, academic integrity and graduation processes, and compliance with relevant government agencies and legislation. A key function of this role is to act as the academic registrar of the college. For full job description and selection criteria please visit <employment@avondale.edu.au>. Applications, with a statement addressing the selection criteria and contact details of at least three referees, should be emailed to <employment@avondale. edu.au>. Applications close March 15, 2019.

FOR MORE AVAILABLE POSITIONS VISIT:

ADVENTISTEMPLOYMENT.ORG.AU

22

/SDAJOBS

Adventist record |30 March 9,March 2019 2019 AdventistWorld.org

MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR, CENTRAL COAST ADVENTIST SCHOOL ERINA, NSW Seventh-day Adventist Schools (North NSW) Ltd is seeking a fulltime maintenance and construction supervisor for Central Coast Adventist School. The successful applicant will be responsible for the upkeep of all building environments on the school site, and overseeing various maintenance and construction projects, including classroom refurbishment and renovation. As an integral part of the staff, and with high visibility around the site, they are expected to uphold the ethos of the school and be mindful of child safety policies at all times. For further information and a job description please email Karen Davis: <kadavis@ccas.nsw.edu.au>. Applications close March 15, 2019.

FLIGHT OPERATION MANAGER AND LINE PILOTS, ADVENTIST AVIATION SERVICES GOROKA, PNG Adventist Aviation Services is seeking applications from qualified pilots for the position of flight operations manager (FOM) and line pilot. The ideal candidate for FOM would be an experienced pilot with aviation management experience. Interested candidates who are active Seventh-day Adventist members, mission oriented, professional, hard-working and adventurous, with commercial aptitude for business management, are encouraged to apply. For more information please visit the South Pacific Division’s Human Resources website: <adventistemployment.org.au>. All applications, including your CV, three work-related referees and a reference from your church pastor, must be forwarded to: Human Resources, Seventh-day Adventist Church (Pacific) Limited, Locked Bag 2014, Wahroonga NSW 2076, Australia; email hr@adventist.org.au. Applications close April 15, 2019.

noticeboard voice of God call her and tell her to turn back. She committed her life to Jesus and lived faithfully the rest of her life.

David Gilmore, Mancel Dougherty, Don Fehlberg

FITZCLARENCE, Ronald, died 5.11.18 in Bairnsdale, Vic. He was married to Marie, who predeceased him in 2017. He is survived by daughters Diane Major (WA), Denise Riley (NSW) and Vicki Fitzclarence (Vic) and their families. Ron was a fine Christian gentleman who loved nature, his church and God. He was full of enthusiasm and joy.

Andrew Wilson IRVINE, James Keith,

born 30.3.1922 in McKees Hill, NSW; died 29.1.19 in Wahroonga. On 21.4.1943 he married Vera Isobel Stengard, who predeceased him in 2010.

Keith is survived by daughters Pamela Funnell (Hartley), Carolyn

noticeboard Litster (Tura Beach), Lesley Robinson (Brisbane, Qld) and son John Irvine (Horsfield Bay, NSW).

Keith worked for the Church for more than 40 years (1946-1987), including managing the building of the “new” Sydney Adventist Hospital, opened in 1973.

Nigel Ackland

JOHNSTONE, Janet

(known as Janette), (nee Galloway), born 19.12.1935 in Paisley, Scotland, UK; died 11.1.19 in Rossmoyne, WA. On 28.7.1956 she married Bill Johnstone, who predeceased her in 2006. Janette is survived by children Janice (Jock) (Narrogin, WA), Jeanne (Adelaide, SA) and Alex (Perth, WA); grandchildren Kyle, Kurt, Jamie-Lee, Jessica, Pete and Shaun; and three great-grandchildren. Janette was a gracious Christian lady. She trained and worked initially as a seamstress and later spent 26 years as a pre-school teacher in Perth. In

1971 Janette answered a TV offer for Bible study guides, which resulted in her baptism. She continued to develop her relationship with Jesus throughout her life.

Roger Millist

LAIRD, Ivy, (nee North), born 22.8.1920 in Subiaco, WA; died 28.12.18 in Busselton.

On 27.11.1962 she married Allan Laird, who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her step-daughter Chris Laird and her eight siblings. Ivy was a full-time employee of Sanitarium Health Food for 20 years, rising to the position of foreman at the Carmel Weetbix factory. After marrying Allan, she moved to his farm at Mt Walker, later to Moodiarrup and finally to Busselton in 1978 for retirement. She was a woman of integrity, honesty, hard work and compassion. She loved her Lord, attending church until a few weeks before her death Ron Mason LING, Nola Fay, born 15.8.1933 in

CHIP Program Leader Lifestyle Medicine Institute (LMI) is seeking a part-time (2.5 days per week) Leader for its Complete Health Improvement Program (CHIP). CHIP is a researched-based, affordable, lifestyle education program that sees incredible results with the potential to change people’s lives and reverse lifestyle disease through the power of nutrition. It is a program that is sponsored by local, certified leadership; is community based; and has a strong, ongoing support system.

The CHIP Program Leader will be based out of the offices of Sanitarium’s Vitality Works North Sydney office. The successful applicant will be responsible for leading the development and implementation of a strategy and framework for growing CHIP across the Seventh-day Adventist Church, through medical practitioners and digital (online) networks in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. The successful applicant will hold a bachelor or higher qualification in a Health or Business related field with a keen interest in health and a desire to see people’s lives change through the power of nutrition. You will also be a great communicator, well organised and have a high energy level.

Also, candidates for this role must be an active member of the Adventist Church and be available for some weekend work to run workshops. For more information regarding this fantastic opportunity please visit <www-adventistemployment-org-au.adventistconnect.org> or contact <hrservices@ sanitarium.com.au>.

Christchurch, NZ; died 20.10.18 in Adelaide, SA. She was predeceased by her sons Peter and Stephen and her sister June Blank.

Nola is survived by her daughter Geeneen Gasson, son-in-law Steve and daughter-in-law Debbie; grandchildren Carly, Charlene, Jeremy, Heidi, Byron and Conrad; 10 great-grandchildren; and sisters Wendy Pietz and Glenys and Alan Were. Nola was a faithful follower of Jesus and a member of Bishopdale church in Christchurch, where she held various roles, including deaconess and Signs distributor. Nola did her nursing training at Sydney Adventist Hospital and continued nursing until her retirement from Calvary Hospital in Christchurch.

She continued her caring role by nursing members of her family and friends. She passed to her rest on the Sabbath to await the return of her Lord and Saviour.

Brenton Wilkinson

SMARTT, Enid Isabel,

(nee Swannell), born 30.9.1915 in Perth, WA; died 28.1.19 in Rossmoyne,. On 16.4.1935 she married Les Smartt, who predeceased her in 1977. She is survived by her children Ian

and Shirley (Esperance), Jennifer and Cedric Powrie (Brisbane, Qld), Colin and Dianne (Perth, WA), and Malcolm and Janice (Perth); 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Enid was a hard-working, independent, adventurous and resilient person. She found fulfilment and purpose in caring for her family and being involved in helping others in the church and community. In her early adult years she came to see that God was not harsh and angry with her, but Someone who loved her deeply and wanted her to love and trust Him in response. She faithfully placed her trust in Jesus and His promises for the next 73 years of her life.

Roger Millist

SMITH, Peter Eugene John, born 10.11.1950 in Broken Hill, NSW; died 7.1.19 in Broken Hill. He is survived by his sisters Annette Basoeki (Tweed Heads) and Sheryl Thomas (Gladstone, Qld). Peter was a faithful member of Broken Hill church from 1970 until his death. He spent time at Carmel College (WA) and at Avondale College (NSW). Peter was a diligent student of the Bible and wrote three books, The Harmony of the Gospels, The Science of Salvation and The Science of Salvation Too under the pen name “Eugene of Avondale”. Peter battled health problems from birth but was passionate about his salvation.

Jim Tonkin, John Harris

Finally . . .

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt. —Helen Keller NEXT ISSUE: ADVENTIST RECORD, MARCH 16

Note : Neither the editor, Adventist Media, nor the Seventh-day Adventist Church is responsible for the quality of goods or services advertised. Publication does not indicate endorsement of a product or service. Classified advertisements in Adventist Record are available to Seventh-day Adventist members, churches and institutions only. All advertisements, appreciation, anniversary, wedding and obituary notices may be submitted via <ads@record.net.au> or online at <record. adventistchurch.com>. Notices will not be reprinted unless there is an error of fact caused by Record staff.

AdventistWorld.org MarchMarch 20199, 201931 | Adventist record

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